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TOPOGRAPHICAL 

HISTORICAL 

DESCKIPTION OF BOSTON, 

t'ROM T^E FiaST- 5RTTLBMENT OV THE TOWN TO 

THE PRESENT PERIOD : 

WIIH SOME 

ACCOUNT OF ITS ENVIROInS. 

RY 

CHARLES SHAWj ESQ. 

JSEJIBER OF TKFE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN' SOCIETY. 



i/t urhe sua hospes^ in patria sua ptre^rinus. 

CAMBDEIff. 

nochirnis juvat impallesccn chartis. 

PERSIUS. 




PUiNTED AXB rUCLtSHED BY OLIVF^ SPEAR 

1817. 



DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit: 

DiSTiiicT Clerk's Offics. 
C IT REiMEMBERED, That on the fifteenth clay of 
May, A. D. 1817, and in the torty first year of the Inde- 
■■r;endenGe of the United States of America, Oliver Speab, 
of the said District, has deposited in this OfBre the Title of a 
Book the R.ight whereof he claims as Proprietor in the words fol- 
lowing, to wit : A Topographical and Historical Description of 
Boston, from the first Settlement of the Town, to the present 
Period : with some account of its Environs. By Cxtarles 
■^HAw, Esq. Member of the American Antiquarian Society. 
In urbe sua hoxpes in pafria sua peregrimi:^. camedeiv, 

nocturnis jurat impaUescere chartis. pehsius. 

In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, 
entitled, ^' An A^ct for'the Encouragement of Learning-, by secur- 
mg the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and 
Proprietors of such Copies, during the Times therein mention- 
ed ;" and also to an Act entitled, ^' An Act supplementary to an 
Act entitled, An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by 
securing the Copieg of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors 
and Pi'oprietors of such Copies during the times therein mention- 
ed ; and extending the Benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, 
En^^raving and Etching Historical, and other Prints." 

JOFN W DWTS ^ Clerk of the District 
' ^ ofMassachwe^ts. 



\ 






PREFACE, 



The reader is here presented with a col^ 
ction of facts relating to the history of Bos- 
3n. Most of them are familiar to those, who 
lave had curiosity to peruse our early \vriters, 
and patience to look over the musty records 
of the town. To such this hook will he use- 
ful merely as an Index. It was compiled 
chiefly for that class of readers, whose active 
iuties give them little time for researches of 
this kind, and who yet feel a lively interest 
in every thing connected with the characters 
of their ancestors, and the history of their 
birth place. To benefit such, we have ex- 
tracted literatim from our old historians, 
(many of whose works are now difficult to be 
procured), almost every paragraph, which 
came within the com]:)ass of our original dc- 
Sign. 

While the historians of New England have 
little cause to complain of the want of authen- 
tic materials, the mere, topographer will not 



4 PREFACE. 

And them so abundant as might be expecfed 
Our old writers are minute even to tedious- 
iiess in recording the foundation of churches, 
the names of ruling elders, and remarkable 
providences, and so forth ; but they have 
given us little or no topographical informa- 
tion. They have failed to notice the orig- 
jiial appearances of the places where they 
settled, and their progressive advancement. 
One of them has furnished what he quaintlj" 
calls an Ecclesiastical Map of this country ,but it 
is of no service to one in fixing boundaries of 
places, in ascertaining the former courses of 
strcaffis, or in determining the line,which once 
separated the water from the dry land. In St 
lecture preached in 1698, entitled the " Bos- 
tonian Ebenezcr," the learned prea'cher says, 
'" It would be no unprofitable tiling for you to 
pass over the several streets, and call to mind 
V;'ho lived here so many years ago? Why? 
In that place lived such a one," &c. Wlio 
does not i-egret that he has not given us the 
result of these prolitable enquiries ? Retro- 
spection lingers with melancholy delight cii 
the spot to which talents, and learning, and 
piety, once gave importance. As to these 
things, hov/ever, every reader Vr ill decide ac- 
cording to his peculiar sensibilities and habits 
of thinking. The writer has availed himself 
of all that could be found in the works of our 



fKEFACE. g. 

carlj writers, and what tra<iItion had deliver- 
eii to the most aged inhabitants of the town, 
he has collected with no inconsidcable labour. 
But tradition in an age of letters is scantj 
and uncertain, and makes but a small part of 
the general stock of information. What is 
now of importance was matter of little 
consideration in a former period ; and such 
facts did not impress the mind sufficient- 
ly to be minutely remembered after a lapse 
of years. INo one but the antiquarian can 
tell the difficulties and appreciate the labour 
of gathering dates from tomb stones, charac- 
ters from epitaphs, and boundaries from loose 
and imperfect records. 

For the . accuracy of the matter in this 
work, the author is responsible ; but succinct 
description and nice arrangement ought not 
to be expected : descriptions of places^ 
buildings, &;c. he sometimes received from 
such sources that delicacj forbade him to alter 
if he wished ; and facts of importance were 
frequently discovered too late to be placed 
in their, proper order. The accounts of so- 
'cieties, descriptions of buildings, &c. are, for 
the most part inserted in the words, in which 
they appeared in print, or were communi- 
cated in writing, without encumbering the 
volume with useless authorities and numerous 
marks of quotation. 



6. PREFACE; 

The work is a compilation; — -"a tilings (^tc 
use the words of old Burton) of liiere Indus- 
trie ; a collection without wit or invention.'* 
From Pemherton, w4io travc}i«d the san^e 
road before us, and collected ma.By import- 
ant facts, we liave quoted freely, and hay^ 
never altered his phraseology, except for ilih 
purpose of abbreviation. The account of 
t-Iarvard Univ-ersity is from the New-England 
Journal. To a friend, who formed the table 
of contcrits, the author is also under obliga- 
tion. Unavoidable circumstances, which it k 
needless to recount, have protracted the pub- 
lication to this time. In a few instances 
articles are referred to, which the limits of 
the ivork allowed us no room to insert, 
although it has been extended sixty pages 
beyond the number stated in the prospectus : 
besides it is ornamented v^ith a greater num- 
ber of plates, executed in a more expensive 
style, than was originally contemplated. 

it is now brought to a close, and the au- 
thor with diffidence offers it to the inhabitants 
of this metropolis, who ever appreciate the 
v^^orth of industry, and know bow to besto\^ 
the recompense of reward. 



content:^. 



p A (.i; . 

Aucient House in Cross Sfireet, _ - - g5 

Acres of Land, number of Ml BostoiQ, - - 82 

Ancient Police, _ . - - - 12o 

Assessor?, first ch^f^e^i only ififr some specific -jTi-iipo^e, I2v 

Afecient Training in i3oston described, - - 160 

Artillery -Coinp, Ancient and Hon. Charter, &c. - 161 

A'fens House, new, and number of SKbjGcts, - 2V7 

Athenaeum, Boston, _ - . - ^Tj'4,. 

Association of Booksellers, _ _ - 2570 

Ancient Arch, ----- 2Q.1 

Aqueduct, ----- 8G0 

Agency Orlice, ----- - 305 

■Braintree foraierly considered appm^teACirtit io B<?stoa, 17 

l^lackstone's Neck, now Boston, - ^ - 3:2 

Bkckstone, first Englishman who slept, on Peninsula, dl). 

Peninsula purchased-of him, - <jS 

Burying Place, first, origin of, - _ . ^4 

JJoston, original name ShawmutN, - - ^ 

date of founda. of, and cem^e of b&iwgso naldtd, 51 

as described by our ancient writers-, - ib. 

as described by modt?rn Tvriters, a"nd as it itcnf is, 56 

situation, extent, &c. also original appearance 57 

formerly a populous Indian Eetllcraeat, - 78- 

Beacon Hill de^ivcribsd, aleo the M-onuirien-t^ - 117 

Bridges, - - - - - - 120 

Bellman employed in 1653, ins^testd of a Watoii^ - 12G 

Board of Health — power, duty, jfcc. - - 154 

Boston, military force of, in 1703 and 18"P6, - - 167 

Boylston Market. ----- 236 

Boston Athenaeum, . - - _ 274 

Booksellers, association of, itilei?, fee. - - 278 

iBiessing of the Bay, first vessel btiilt, - - 295 

Cape Cod, origin of th« name, - - - 13 

-Charter, old, vacated in 1684 — ^nelv owe forttied, 1691, 24 
Charter old, abstract of the patent, form and device of the 

seal, &c. Motto of prei?ent arms, - - 24, Sic. 

Churches, found, of, in Boston a'nd ChsErkstown, laid 1630, 36 

'Court of Assistants, first, holden on board tire Arabella 35 

Causes of emigrating to America, - _ - 46 

Creek, Mill, ----- 57 

Canal, unites with the Creek, and receives tfeet)t3ats from 

Middlesex Canal, with wood, &c. ^ - 69" 

Copp's Hill, origin of the n^aie-, fee. - - 6Tr 



Charles River, description of it, - - - 69 

Climate, kc. ' - - - - - 107 
Charter of incorporation for Boston firfct proposed in 1708, 129 

Customs and manners in Boston, 1720, - - 145 

Cotton Mather, character of, &c.. - - - 150 

Castle Island in 1633 selected for a fortress, &c. 1G2 
the commanders acted as chaplains morn & eve, 1 G4 

Captains maintained bj their Companies 1631, - 165 

College, Mass. Medical, - - . 218 

County Gaol, ----- 226 

Coffee House, Boston Exchange, - - 229 

Custom House. ^- ' - - - - 233 

CourtHouse, new, p.''237— ditto Old, - - SOT 

Concert Hall, . - - - - 273 

Circulating Libraries, , - - - 278. 

Columbian Museum, - . - - 286 

Cow, milch, worth of in 1640, - - - 296 

Clearances Lnd Entries, - - - - 298 

Charitable Societies, kc. _ _ - 299 

Common and Mall, ^ - . - 308 

College Edifices, &c. - - - - 302 
©hnrches, &g. with succession of Pastors. 

First Church, Chauncy Place, - 237 & 271 

Second, or Old North, North Square, - .240 

Third, or Old South, Marlboro^ Street, - 241 

First Baptist, Backstreet, - - 242 

Brattle Street, - - - - 243 

King's, or Stone Chapel, Tremont Street, 244 

Quaker Meeting, Congress Street, - 246 

ifew North, North Street, - - 248 

Sfew South, Summer Street, - - 249 

JJew Brick, Middle Street, - - 251 

Federal Street, (fornaerl}^ Presbyterian) - 251' 

Hollis Street, - - - - 252 

West Church, Lynde Street, - - 253 

Second Baptist, Back Street, - - 254 

Third Baptist, Charles Street, - - 256 

Catholic Church, (Roman) - - 256 

Christ, or North Church, Salem Street, - 257 

First Universal Society, Middle Street, 260 

Second do. School Street, - - 261 

Park Street Church, - - - 262 

Trinity Church, Summer Street, - 265 

First Methodist Chapel, Methodist Alley, ib. 

Second do. Bromfield's Lane, - - 266 

Sandimanians, . _ - 267 

Chrrst-iflKJ, a Society in Friind Street, 268 



CONTENtS. «- 

PAc.i;. 

Churches, &c.~Bt. Malthev/'s Chapel, South Bo/co«, 2GH 
Africsn Church, Belknap Street, 260 
Dorchester [Matapan] reiiioved to, 'oecausc, - 31 
Dildley, a soldier by profession, had served under Ileray IV, 40 
Deed, quitclaim of Boston, March 1684 — 5, - 4l 
Daj, longest and shortest in Boston, - - 111 
Drunkards, being in the company of, - - l4i 
how punished formerly, - - 14i 
Drinking Ileailns abolished by order of Court, - 14^ 
Davenport, Com. of Castle Island killed by lightning, 164 
Deeils, Register of, Office, - . - 237 
t)aye, first Printer iii this part of America, - - 280 
Donation, Franklin's, - - - - S8C 
fcndicott arrives at Salem 1628, - - - 2S 
Experiments on Waters of Bostoft, - - 104 
Education, public, present (1816) systeib in B&stoiik 170 
Exchange Coffee House, - - - ' - 2^9 
t!xcessive wages restrained by General Court, - 29^ 
Entries and Clearances, - - - - 29^ 
Forts Independence, Warren, and Strong, - 8T, &c. 
Ferry between Boston and CharlestoWh ordered Nov, 1630, S9 
i^ires, . _ - . ^ _ 8^ 
Fathefs of N. England, character of, &c. - 14f, 
J'ortification formerly on Neck described, - ~ 166 
Force, militar^^ of Boston, in 1708 and in 1816, - 167 
Fanueil Hall described. Hist, of, &c. - - 220 
Freeman's Oath, first work printed in N«w E^igl^^d, 2iS0 
Franklin's Donation, * - - ■ . 282 
ii'or Foreigners, Strangers, &c. ~ . - 304 
tJrant for settling a Colony in MassacLusett'? Bay 1625', 1^ 
tGrovernors from 1691 to Revolution, appointed by the King, 24 
tGreneral Court, first of the Colony, liolden iat Boston 1630, 37 
G-overnment, form of, altered at this Court, - 3S 
General Laws and Liberties, ancient, som£ of, - 13t^ 
Government, Municipal of the tovrn, a^ it notr is, 153 
Gun Locks, in 1631^not in use, - - 158 
Gaol, County, . . ^ - . 226 
'Governors, late, their residence?,. - - 290 
Geaeral Registry Oliice, - - - _ 30:, 
Historical Sketch, from 1614 to 1631, - - 13—50 
Hudson's Point, from which the British f-annonaded Charles- 
town 1775, - -. - - .. {57^ ^c. 
Hills, Copps, Fort, and Beacon, described, - 115, Szc. 
"• ileresie error," rcsj)ecting, - - • - i3& 
Health's, drinking of ftboliJred by order of Court, 147, 
IJealth. Boar;] oi'. their pov/cr. duly, izc. - 154i 



lii OOiNTEINTS. 

Hall, Fanuei, . - . - . 220 

Hall, Merchants', ..... 034 

Hall, Concert, - - - - - 273 

Harvard University, .... 301 

Islands and Rocks in and near Boston Harbour, 83, &;c.. 
Incorporation of Boston, first Charter of, proposed 1708, 129 

Idlers, how treated formerlj^, _ - - 138 

Island, Castle, in 1633, selected for a fortress, Szc. - 162 

Institutions, Literary, &:c. - - - 274 

Intelligence and Information — See, Registry Office, 305 
Johnson, princ. cause of settl. Boston, &;c.; where buried, 34,&c. 

Land, number of acres in Boston, «... 82 

Light House, first one arected in 1715,. - - 87 

Longest and shortest day in Boston, - - 111 

Laws and Liberties, ancient, some of, - - 136, &c. 

Laboratory, near bottom of Mall, state of, - 167, &;c. 

Literary Institutions, Szc. - - , - - 274 

Libraries, Public, * . _ - 277 

Libraries, Circulating, - . _ - ^78. 

Licensers of the Press, additional, appointed, - 280 

Massachusetts Bay, origin of the name, _ - 13 

Morton, Thomas, acts a distinguished part, - 18 
Ministers how to be maintained, first quest, at first Ct. 1630, 35 

Mill Creek, ... - - - 57 

Mill Pond Corporation, Contract, &c. - - 58 

Moderator and Recorder, first mention of, 1659-60, 128 

Manners and Customs in Boston ia 1720, - - 145 

Mather, Cotton, character of, &c. - - 150 

Municipal Government, as it now is, - - 151 

Military Affairs, Fortifications, «fec. - - 158 

Match, two fathoms to every man, - - 158 

Military and patriotic spirit of the time, - 159 

Military Force in Boston in 1708 and in 1816, - 167 

Markets, &c. - . - . 178 

Market Regulations, - - - - 180 

Massachusetts Medical College, - . 218 

Market, Old— See Fanueil Hall, - - 220 

Merchants^ Hall, - - * - 234 

Market, Boylstcn, - - - - 236 

Museum, Columbian, ... 286 

Masonic Societies, - . ■ _ _ 300 

Mall and Common, - _ _ 308 

Sfew England, why so nam.ed, - - .14 

North Battery, at Walter Merry's Point, - C8 

Neck, sometimes whole Peninsula was so called, ■ "^^ 

i^ieki' Mute wt:s an important landmark to ships, '"^^ 



CONTENTS. n 

PACE. 

New Englaad, Fathers of, Iheir character, Szc. ■- 148 

Neck, Old Fortification on, described, - - 166 
News and Reading Room, &;c. at Exchange CoiFee House, 23'2 

News Room and do. at Merchants' Hall, - 234 

New Court House, p. 237.. ..Old do. - - 307 

Newspaper, first Avas ' Boston Nev/s Letter,' in 1704, 281 
Newspapers, list ot those formerly, and also at pres. pub. in B. 282 

Overseers chosen for six months until 1645, - 127 

Office, Probate, Register ofDds. Clks. Sup. and C. P. Crts. 237 

Office, General Registry', _ - _ 305 

Old Court House, - - - - 307 

Pilgrim's establish a Plantation at Plymouth 1620^ 15 
Pilots are established at Light House Island, with boats, &c. 87 

Point Shirley, why so called, fee. - - 88 

Productions, Vegetable, Soil, Water, &c. - - 99 

Plants, Shrubs, and Trees, time of flowering, &c. 110 

Pest House Point, where, - - - ' 121 

Police, Ancient, - - - - 123 

Powder, in 1775, about half a pound to a man, 168 

Post Office, _ - - _ 234 

Probate Office in New Court House, - - 237 

Public Libraries, _ . _ 277 

Printing, commencement, and some account of, &c. 279 

Printing House, first in Boston, opened by J. Foster, 279 

Press, first one set up at Cambridge, &c. - - 280 
Periodical Works and Newspapers published in Boston, 282 

Population of Boston, former and present, 292, &c. 

Quitclaim Deed of Boston, March 1684-5, - - 4{ 

Roxbury first settled in 1G30, - - 39 

Ptecords of Boston, oldest, copy of, - _ - 72 

Rocks and Islands in and near the Harbour, - 83 

Report of Com. appointed to visit Schools in 1758, I69 

Pi-egister of Deeds Office, - - , 237 

-Residences of late Governors, - _ » 290 

Revenue arat. of, also of exp. 1809 to 1816, - 293 

P».egistry Office, - - . > 3q5 

-Suffolk, cause of the name, - - - 5.^ 

Shirley Point, formerly Pulling Point, - 88 

1501], Water, Vegetable Productions, &c. - - 99 

Spring, Great, in Spring Lane, - - IO3 

Shrubs, Plants, and" Trees, time of flowering, - 1 10 

^hortest and longest day in Boston, - - 111 

Selectmen, first time so called was in 1645, - 127 

Stocks, the maker made to sit in them first himself, and why, 140 

Salaries of Town Officers, - - . I53 

Stores, warlike, in the State, in 1775, amount of, - 168 

Schools, curious Preamble to the first law, &;c. 169 



12 CONTENTS. 

^hools, pre.e«t (1816) syst. of education est. by the town, 170 
• Masters and Ushers chosen annua ly, - 1^^ 

Visitation in Ang. 1816, nmaber ol Funds, ^^'^^^_ll\ 
Streets, ancient names, situations, (bcc. 

' present, (1816) names, situation., kc, 201-21| 

State House, New, described, ^c - ^ J^^ 

State House, Old, do. - _ Jgt) 

Societies, Charitable, &c. - . 300 , 

Masonic, " ' 2Q4 

?^i'eT:\od:rs'::i,t;t ana cnjpuuo .;..... [H>:ai- ^^^ 

bras^ roguish fable in consequence, - ^^ 

Trimountain named Boston, bcpv. 7; 16^; " 3Q 

Tremount, so called on account oi its. three hills, ^^ 
Town-, why most of them were so named, - j 

?S^lar Warehouse, with three^towers, near fish market, ^ ^ 

Treest Slu'ubs, and Plants, time of flowering j^^ 

Taxes assessed by the Selectmen up to 1712, - _^^^ 

Town Meetings, ^-^^J^^J^SS^f Tickets in 1735, 129 
Thunders oftener fall upon Houses of God than other, 151 

Training, ancient one in Boston, described, ^o 

Town, Sihtary force of in 1708 and 1816, _ _ " 223 & 287 
Theatre, Boston, &c. " ,^^^, , 094, &c. 

Trade, Navigation, &c. former and P "esent - -^^4, « 

Trade 1655 to 1660, in a ^'«T flourishing stata, ^97 

Vessel., 17 employed in transporting Gov. Wmthrop and ^^ 
company, cost of expedition, &c. - _ -^ 

Vegetable Productions, Sod, Water, &ic. - ^ ^^^ 

Vessels, number of in 1665, " Zq^ 

^XS'n^'MouX'tV s'o caned, „ow caUea Quiacy, 17 i 

WinthroD, John, chosen Governor 1629, ^ '.i„„ent 43 ' 

Women, native, description of dress, &c. f Art settlement 4. 
Warehouse, Triang. built about 1700 by Lond. merchant.., .^ 

Vvater, Soil, Vegetable Pi-oductions, &c. - ^^^ 

Well, &c. at New State House, - " , 

Waters of Boston, Dr. Lathrop's account of, - | 

Do. Experiments made on, - ^^-^ 

W^ards, in 1735, and as established in 1805, ,- _ ^^^ 

Watch first appointed in 1635, - - ' ^^g 

Will, Record of Keyne's, 200 pages, - - ^^^ 

Warhke Stores, amount of in the State m 1775, ^ ^^^ 

West Boston, or Parkman's, Market, - _ " ^^^ 

Wharfs, - " ,t', J . •B^^tr.m 282 

Works Periodical, and Newspapers publislied m Bo.^ton, f^^^ 
Wages, excessive, restrained by General Court, 



HISTORICAL SKETCH, 

FROM 1614, TO JANUARY 1631. 



^ MASSACHUSETTS BAY,* the bottom of which 
ibrms the harbour of Boston, was but httle known to 
Europeans before the year 1614. In that year the cel- 
ebrated traveller and navigator, Capt. John Smith, ex- 
plored the coast from Monhigan, an Island near Penob- 
scot river, to Cape Cod.j He made this trip in a boat, 
with eight men for the purpose of bartering with the 

* There have been numerous conjectures respecting the 
etymology of this word. The following, communicated to 
Neal, seems the most satisfactory. The Sachem Avho gov- 
erned in this part of the country, had his seat on a hill about 
two leagues to the southward of Boston, and lies in the shape 
of an Indian arrow's head, which was called in their lan- 
guage Mos, or with an O nasal, Mens ; and a hill in their 
language is Wetuset, pronounced according to us Wechu- 
set ; hence the great Sachem's seat was called xMoseutuset, 
from which, with a small variation, the province received 
the name of Massachusetts. 

. f This head-land was so called by Bartholomew Gosnold, 
the first Englishman who came in a direct course to this part 
of America. He sailed from Falmouth, March 26,1602, 
and made some part of the eastern coast on the 14th xVlay. 
Before his time the usual rout had been by the Canaries 
and the West-Indies. He did not enter the bay, but steer- 
ed directly from Cape-Aan to Ihe o|jposite cape, wiiere 
they took great numbers of cod—hence its name. 
2 



'-' HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

tiatives, and making- such discoveries as might be of fu- 
ture advantage to his en>pIojcrs, and his country On 
h« return to England, he formed a, nap from his rough 
.fraught and observations, which he presented to Prince 
«.narJes , who was so well pleased with his description 
ox ti:is now discovered region, that he gave it the 
name of Sew-Engiand. / 

In this map, Smith gave names to the most remarka- 
ble places on the coast, none of which are retained.... 
The i4ue Hills near Boston, he called Chevi Hills, and 
Cape Ann, he named Tra.^abigzanda, in honour, it is said 
0. a lady of that name, from whom he had received ma- 
r.j favors, while a prisoner in Constantinople.* 

.onJ''h, ^fZ"''", ^"^ ™' ™'y i«fo™atio„, but amuse- 
/• D I Y°Y^^' ^^s chivalrous deeds at thp 'i(^i<rn 

kn'w°IalTTki7' ,'" persevering: e/Torts to obtain a 
kn..wieag-e ol this country, his zeaj, intellia-ence and ^.,f 
ferings m efTecting; it, settlement, place him Ugh on Sie uf; 
of American worthies ** '' 

forte sci^falfhihrar "^ ^'^ ^^^ l"" ^"y^ "'^'ve seen at least 
Dout me-ana-tAvenLj excellent c-ood harhonro nr ^u .i 
four parts of the woJld, I haveye^t t^e ' unXbitc"^ ci. d l' 
have but means to transplant a colony, I would ather live 
here than any where ; and if it did nof maintain i self were 
Ta^ i°ern]S;r"'/^"'" *"'''=' '^' "^ starve. 1^^::: 

^:;d^enr^:nS' i^f 1.:^ „r Tcra eTal^r ™r' -^='^<' 

tbon,. show yo. all alon, l.r.e eornreHs^and'-^rSt^i^^op'rof 
wcU propmlioned reop)o._GeneralIIistorv rf Vi,"Te 
and the huminer Isle^, bv Tant JrV.r, g'uu \\^\ \ . 
London, 1GG-. ^ ^ ^^'"^ ^'"'^^' ?ub]i.sl)cd in 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. IS 

This voyage was completed within the period of sis. 
months, and produced a clear profit of £1500 to the 
principals. Doubtless the spirit of comTnercial enter- 
prise was more powerfully excited by this substantial 
result, than by the high coloured and wonderful descrip- 
tion which the Captain gave of the country. 

During a number of years after this, the coast was 
annually visited by vessels, mostl}-- fitted out by Mer- 
chants of Dorchester, for taking fish, and trading with 
the Indians for furs. Of these voyages we have little 
information. No attempt was made to establish a plan- 
tation within the bay till 1620, when a permanent set- 
tlement was made at Plymouth ; and this was the effect 
of accident/-* 

The company at this place, the next season after 
their arrival, sent Capt. Standish in a small vessel, to 
view the adjacent coast to the northward of their har- 
bour, and settle a friendly correspondence with the na- 
tives. Nantasket was selected as the most suitable 
place for a trading house, and Mr. Ptoger Conant, whose 
exertions greatly contributed to promote the set- 
tlements which were afterwards made in the bay, re- 
moved there in the year 1623. He was accompanied 
hy Mr. Lyford, a clergyman, and a Mr. Oldham, who on 

* This is an important epoch m the annals of Massachu- 
setts. 

The 22d of December, the anniversary of the landing- of 
the Pilgrims, has been celebrated for a number of years, by 
their descendants. 



;16 HISTORICAL SKETCH, 

account of soine religious diiTerences, " were discharg- 
ed from having any thing more to do at Plymouth." 

The sapieyear seme merchants of Plymouth in En- 
gland sent over Mr, David Thompson to begin a planta- 
tion at Piscataqua, but he disliking the place, or his em- 
ploj^ers, removed to Massachusetts Bay, and took pos- 
session of an island in Boston harbour, which still re- 
tains his name. 

Sometime in M^y 1622, a Mr. Weston* sent over two 
s-hips with 50 or GO men to make a settlement at Wes- 
agusquaset, since called Weymouth. The dissolute 
conduct of the people soon reduced them to poverty 
and distress, and the company was broken up the fol- 
lowing year. 

Conant having been chosen by the merchants of 
Dorchester to manage their aifairs at Cape Ann, remov- 
ed to that|)lace in 1G25, and his people at JYantasket 
soon followed him. Finding however, a better place 
for a plantation, a little to the westv/ard, called Kaum- 
keag,! now Salem, and eon-ceiving that it might be a 

* Weston wiis first cr-i^as-cd in the foundation of PI3'- 
jiiQiith colony, and as is said disbursed £500 to advance (lie 
interest thereof. Observing how the plantation began to 
liorj'ish, }ie was minded to break off and set up for himself, 
though little to his advantage, as the setyiel proved. Huh. 

■\ Tlie termination eag, or, as it is often written eak, sig- 
nilied in the langtir.ge of the natives, land ; the word prc- 
n:^ecl, denoted something for which it was distinguished..., 
Hubbard describes it ^s a pleasant and fruitful neck of land, 
environed with an arm of the sea on eacli side, in either of 
which vessels and ships of good burden might safely a!tchor. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 17 

aonvenient place for the reception of such English peo- 
ple as might be desirous of a settlement in America, he 
gave notice of it to his friends in England. The ac^ 
counts he transmitted, and the success of the people at 
Plymouth, greatly encouraged the friends of emigration, 
and gave rise to a project, first concerted in Lincoln^ 
shire, of procuring from the Council of Plymouth, a 
grant for the settling of a colony in Massachusetts Bay. 

The grant was obtained by Sir Henry Roswell, Sir 
John Young and others, March 19, 1627, in the third 
year of the reign of Charles the first, who, in the year 
following confirmed the grant by charter, and gave the 
patentees jurisdiction over the territory Ihey had pur- 
chased. It conveyed the country lying between three 
miles to the northward, of Merrimack river, and three 
miles to the southward of Charles* river, and in breadth 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. 

In the yean 625, one Capt. Wolliston, with a small 
company, wellsupphed with provisions and other things 
needful for a young plantation, established himself at°a 
place, which, in honor of their leader, his people called 
Mount AVolliston.t This was in that part of Braintree 
since called Quincy. Wolliston soon became dissatisfied 

* -The original name was Quimobequin. 

t This place for a number of years after the settlement of 
Bos on was considered together with the presentTown of 
Braintree, as appurtenant to the Capital. The first vo Imc 
of the town records contains the bounds of many al otoents 
a We fnerF'/''"?^^.'^ the overseers. AmLg the r^ 
theTr^pe^^^^^^^^^^ -^-^ - ^^liefei. no. 



IB HISTOFJCAL SKETCH. 

witji his situation and went to Virginia, leaving part 
of his company behind, with orders to follow him. ... 
Thomas Morton of Furnival's Inn was one of the num- 
ber. This man acts a distinguished part in the history 
of those times. He persuaded his companions to elect 
him their Captain, changed the name of Mount Wollis- 
tcn to Merry Mount, gave the servants their freedom, 
and led a life of idleness and dissipation. Mather, 
sipeaking of this companj'^, says, that having brought 
themselves to penury, they stole from the Indians and 
otherwise abused them, although the Governor of Ply- 
mouth writ them his very sharp disapprobation. " To 
satisfy the salvages, divers dl" the thieves vv ere stockt 
and whipt,"'' and one at last put to death, which, he adds, 

* The Indians insisted that the ringleader of the thieves 
should be put to deatli. Some say they hanged one in his 
stead, %vho -vvas not likely to live; others that they hanged up 
one who had died by famine. At any rate, Hudibras has 
made a pleasant story of it, though a little at the expence of 
truth. Certainly the sober planters at Plymouth were not 
answerable for the misdeeds of this g'ang of debauchees— r 
Quoth Kalpho, 

That sinners may supply the place. 
Of suficring saints is a plain case, 
.Tustice g'iv cs sentence many times, 
On one nian for another\s crimen. 
Our brethren of jXew-England use, 
Choice malefactors to excuse — 
And hang the guiltless in tlieir stead, 
Of whom the ciiurches have less need. 
As lately ^t happen'd. In a town. 
There liv'd a cobler, andbutone, 
That out of doctrine there could cut use 



inSTORICAL SKETCH. 19 

did no other service than to afford an occasion for a fa- 
ble to the rosruish Hudibras." To relieve the tedious- 

O 

nes3 of historical detail, we shall give the story in a 
note, as the rogue has told it. 

Morton was taken prisoner by force, and sent to Eng- 
land for his trial. He was acquitted, however, and in 
turn brought accusations against the planters, which fbr 
a time gave them not a little inquietude. He appears 
to have been a man of wit and letters ; and if we can 
judge from his writings, greatly enamoured with the 
country. As his book is scarce,* and his description 

And mend men's lives as well as shoes.; 
This precious brother having slain, 
In time of peace an Indian — 
(Not out of malice, but mere zeal, 
Because he was an infidel.) 
The mighty Tottjpottymoy, 
Sent to our elders an envoy, 
Complaining- sorely of the breach, 
Of league held forth by brother patch ; 
In -which he crav'd the saints to render 
Into his hands, or hang th' offender. 
But they maturely having weigli'd 
They had no more but him o' the trade, 
(A man that serv'd them in the double 
Capacity, to teach and cobble,) 
Resolved to spare him ; yet to do 
The Indian Hogammog-an too 
Impartial justice, in his stead, did. 
Hang an old weaver that was bed-rid. 

Then wliere fore may not you be skipp'd 
And in your room another whipp'd ? 
For all Philosophers but the skeptick, 
Hold whipping may be sympathetick. 

^ The New-English Canaan. Perhaps there is not more 
(Han one copy in this country. 



;20 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

curious, we shall take our leave of him with a quotation. 
" While our hou^^es were building-," says he, " I did 
endeavor to take a survey of the country, &lc. For so 
man}'' goodly grouves of trees, dainty fine rising hillocks ; 
delicate fair large plains, sweete chrystal and clear run- 
ning streams, that twine in fine meanders through the 
meads, making so sweet a murmuring noise to hear, as 
would even lull the senses with delight asleep, so pleas- 
antly do they glide upon the pebble stones, jetting most 
jocundly where they doe meet, and hand in hand runnc 
downe to Neptune's court, to pay the yearly tribute 
which they owe to him, as lord of all the springs." 

'' Contained within the volume of the land, fowles in 
abundance, fish in multitudes, millions of turtle doves 
on the green boughes, which sat picking off the full ripe 
pleasant grapes, that where supported by the lusty trees, 
whose fruitful loade did cause the arms to bend, which 
here and there dispersed (you might see) lillies, and of 
a Daphnean tree, which malies the land to me seeme 
Paradise, for in mfne eye 'twas nature's master piece, 
her cheerful magazine of all, where lives her store ; if 
this land be not rich, then is the whole world poor." 

He considers the cedars* which grow in the low 
grounds, superior to those of Mount Libanus, and adds, 
" that there are firre trees, and other materials for 
building many temples, if there were any Solomons to 
be at the cost of them." 

* Most of our evergreens, as hemlock, spruce and pine» 
seem to have been iudiscrirainately caU€4 firs, by the first 
ttlers. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH, 21 

Who can help regretting* that this author's purse wm 
not equal to his imagination ? What cold, insensible 
Jiearts must the old planters have had, to drive from 
their borders a man, who could so easily convert a gloo- 
my wilderness into a paradise of plenty ? 

In 1623, John Winthrop, Isaac Johnson, Thoir^s 
Goffe, Mr. Dudly, Mr. Craddock, Sir Itichard Saltonstall 
and others, purchased of Rosweil and his associates, their 
rights in the patent for the sole purpose of providing an 
asylum for the persecuted Non-conformists, beyond the 
reach of ecclesiastical tyranny. This subject will be 
noticed under a distinct head. To religious considera- 
tions, however, we must entirely refer the hazardous 
and eventful project of settling a colony in the Americaa 
wilderness. No state in the world can deduce its origin 
from men guided by so pure and disinterested motives, 
as influenced the first settlers of Massachusetts; for nei- 
ther the country they designed to inhabit, nor the suc- 
cess of former adventurers, held out inducements suffi- 
cient to stimulate either avarice or ambition. 

!\Iany of the dissenting ministers in England, particu- 
larly Mr. White of Dorchester, actively exerted thepi- 
seives to forv/ard tlie designs of the company ; and the 
v/ealth and reputation of the principal* members gave 
consistency to their plans, and aiforded probability of ul- 
timate succes?. 



22 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

We cannot do better in completing' this sketch, thaia 
to give the reader an extract from the " Planter's Plea."* 

" Upon the manifestation of the western adventur- 
ers' resolution to give off their work, most part of the 
London men, being sent for returned ; but a few of the 
most honest and industrious! resolved to stay behind,and to 
take charge of the cattle sent over the year before, which 
they performed accordingly ; and not liking their seat 
at Cape Ann, chosen especially for the supposed com- 
moditie of fishing, the}'^ transplanted themselves at Na- 
umkeag, about four or five leagues to the southwest. 

" Some of the adventurers, that still continued their 
desire to set forwards the plantation of a colony, adven- 
tured to send over twelve kine and buls more. And 
confering casually with some gentlemen of London, 
moved them to add unto them as many more. By 
which occasion the business came to agitation afresh in 
London; some men shewing some good affection to t^e 

* This was undoubtedly the production of Mr. White, who 
was intimately acquainted with the concerns of the compa- 
ny. It was published in " London, for William Jones," with- 
out name or date. It must have been after the sailing of the 
fleet, which was in the early part of 1630. 

rj- From fear of the Indians and other discouragements, the 
few that remained at Naumkeag had determined to remove 
to Virginia, but Mr. Conant, as one inspired by superior in- 
stinct, though never so earnestly pressed to go along with 
tjiera, peremptorily declared his mind to wait the providence 
of God in that place, where they now were, yea though all the 
rest should forsake him. The other three observing his res- 
^luUoa concurred with him Hub. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 33 

work, offering the help of their purses if fit men might 
be had to go over. It fell out, that among others, they 
lighted on Master Endicott, who manifested much will- 
ingnesse to accept of the offer as soon as it was tendered. 

Hereupon diverse persons suhscribed a reasonable 
summe ofmonej, a patent was granted by his most Ex- 
cellent Majesty, with large encouragement." 

" Master Endicott* was sent over with a few men, 
and arriving there, [Salem] in safety in September 
1628, and uniting his own men with those formerly 
planted in the country, they made up in all not much 
above my or sixty persons." His success gave such 
encouragement that more adventurers joined the first 
undertakers, '• and all engaging themselves more deep- 
ly in the design, they sent over the next year about 
300 persons more, mostly sei-vants, with a convenient 
proportion of other beasts, to the number of sixty or sev- 
enty, of which the kine came safe for the most part ; 
but the greater part of the horses died, so that there 
remained not above twelve or fourteen alive. The fa- 
vorable accounts of Endicott, bis success awakened the 
spirits of some persons of competent estates, &c. to 
unite themselves for the prosecution of that woik, and 
made up a ccmpetent number to embark themselves 

f ^ '^ ■^''^T;"'!"'.^^' intrusted with power frcm tlic ccmpoiiy 
io order al afTans m the n.n^e of the patentee, cs fheiT- 
agent, until thcm.elves should ccmc ever ^Jiich .vrs at thai 
time intended, but did net take place till 1630. 



for a voyage to Hew-England, where 1 hope they are 
long smce arrived.*' 

Before the sailing- of this fleet, the company had de- 
lermined to transfer the government and patent of the 
plantation to New England. The expediency of this 
measure occasioned considerable debate, and was finally 
adopted, not only to avoid the inconvenience of having 
the government administered at such a distance, but to 
induce gentlemen of wealth and quality to embark in the 
expedition with their property and families. This was 
an act of great political importance. jNTeither the ad- 
vocates nor opposers of it could, at that time have tru- 
ly estimated its magnitude, nor have foreseen the great 
events wdnch it ultimately produced. 

The following is an abstract of the patent, commonly 
called the old charter.* 

" The said Grantees,with all such others as shall here- 
after be admitted and made frep of the company, shall 
ever be one body corporate and politic,t by the name 
of the Governor and company of the Massachusetts Bay 
in New-England. The corporation to consist of one 

* This Charter w£s vacated in Chancery, 1 684. The new 
Charter wns dated Octcbej 7, 1691. From that time till the 
revolution the Goreniors were appointed by the king. 

fTl'e seal was an Indian erect, raked, an arrow in his 
right har.d, ard a how in his If-ft, (as now to te seen on the 
cupola of the old Provirce Pcuec.) The words '■ Ccir^e over 
and help us," in a iFcrawl frcn: his mouth. Jr a circle ., fr'igil- 
lum Gub. et Societatis de Massachusetts Bay in Kovai^n« 
glia. 






MiSTORICAL SkliTOil. H 

trovernor, one Deputy Governor, and eighteen Assist- 
ants, to be annually elected out of the freemen of the 
company. The Governor may call an Assembly at 
pleasure. The Governor and Assistants not tinder seven, 
may once a month meet to do business. Four great and 
General Courts of the freemen annually, on the last 
Wednesdays of Hilary, Easter, Trinity, and Michaelmas 
terms, whereof the Governor and six of the Assist- 
ants, at least to be seven, with the Representatives of. 
the townships to admit freemen, constitute officers, make 
laws not repugnant to the statutes of England. Annual- 
ly, upon the last Wednesday in Easter term, shall be an 
election of General Assembly then convened, of a 
Governor, Deputy Governor, eighteen Assistants, and 
all other officers. Liberty to transport from England 
any people, effects and merchandize free of customs, 
both outward and inward, for the first seven years, and 
for fourteen years, excepting the five per cent duty in 
England upon all merchandize imported. All born in 
the country, or in passages to and from the colony, be 
deemed natural born subjects of England. The Gen- 
eral Court may make orders and laws, constitute offi- 
cers, may impose fines, imprisonment or other lawful 

The motto of the present arms, '''Ense petit placidam. 
&c. is borcowed froni Algernon Sydney. The whole pas- 
sage would have better explained the device, and the senti • 
nients of those who adopted it. 

" Hasc manus, inimica Tyrannis, 

BnsG petit placidam sub Ubertate qufeteni. 

o . . 



26 HISTORICAL hIiETCH. 

correction, according to the course of the corporations 
in England ; may encounter and resist by force of arms, 
by sea or land, any who shall in a hostile manner in- 
Tade the said plantation, &c. 

At a Court holden October 20, 1629, for the election 
of officers who were willing to remove, John Winthrop 
w-as chosen Governor, and Mr. J. Humphry Deputy 
Governor ; but Mr. Humphry not being ready to re- 
move, Thomas Dudley was chosen in his place. These, 
with eleven assistants, four ministers^ and about 1500 
people of various trades and occupations, sailed from 
England in the spring of 1 630. The whole number of 
vessels employed in the transportation of this company, 
was seventeen.* They sailed at different times, and 
all arrived safely at Salem and Charlestown; the greater 
number in July 1630. 

Although the nature of a summary precludes those 
reflections, which are admissible into general history, 
we cannot forbear noticing the peculiar circumstances 
under whicJi this body of emigrants left their native 
country. 

They were about to leave the land of their fathers' 
sepulchres, perhaps forever • to break asunder those 
chords of affection, %hich so powerfully bind a good 
man to his native soil ; and to dissolve those tender 

'*• In this I follow Prince, who gives a list of the ships^ 
wit,h their ncmes. srd the time of their departure and arri- 
val. Chalmers, the best authority, ajrrees with Prince.... 
r pme who are fond of the njarvelloue, hare considered the 



l^ISTORICAL SKETCH. ^7 

associations which constitute the bliss of civil society. 
In ordinary cases, the pairl*iof separation is lessened by 
the promises of hope — the pleasure of another inter- 
view ; but here adieu, to most of them at least, was to 
be the last, like the final farewell to a departinij spirit. 
" The principles which those gentlemen acted from,'^ 
says Hubbard, " hitherto seemed to be so strong, as to 
enable them to get over the mosjt insuperable difficul- 
ties and obstructions that lay in their way. Yet, when 
it came to the pinch, and upshot of the trial, it appear- 
ed that what resolution soever they had put on ; yet 
they had not put off natural affection. Religion never 
makes men Stoicks ; nor is it to be conceived, that na- 
tural relations should be rent one from another, witii- 
outthe deepest sense of sorrow. 

coincidence between the number of this f^eet and that of 
Columbus, in his second voyag-e, as remarkable,^ 

Johnson, in his Wonder- Working- Providence, published 
in London, 1654, has thus stated the costs of the expedi- 
tion. 

The passage of the persons, J295,000 

The transportation of swine, goats, sheep, neate 

and horse, exclusive of their cost, . . . • . 12,000 

Getting food for all the persons until they could 

get the wood to tillag-e, 45,000 

Nayles, glasse, and other iron worke for their 
meeting-houses, and other dwelling hauses, be- 
fore they could raise any other meancs in the 

country to purchase them, 18,000 

Amies, powder, bullet, and match, with great ar- 
tillery, 22,000 

£192,000 
The whole amounting to £192,000, beside that v/hich the 
adventurers laid c^t in England. 



28 mSTORICAL SKETCH. 

" Hr. John Wintbrop, the^pGovemor of the company, 
at a solemn feast, among many friends, a little hefore 
their last farewell, finding his boWels yearn within him, 
instead of drinking to them — ^by breaking into a flood of 
tears himself, set them all a weeping, while they thot' 
of seeing the faces of each other no more, in the land 
9ff the living." 

Before they left England, they published a declara- 
tion, in which they stated the objects of their enter- 
prise, and the reasons af their removal. This paper 
was addressed '' to the rest of their brethren of thQ 
Church of England,*' and sufhciently shews, that the 
principal men of the company, did not, at that time, con- 
template so wide a separation from the established 
Churchy as took place soon after their arrival. It con- 
tains the following remarkable words. 

'^ We are bold to have recourse unto you, as those 
whom God hath placed near his throne of mercy ; 
which, as it affords you the most opportunity, so it im- 
poseth the greater bond upon you to intercede for his 
people in all their straits. Howsoever your charity 
may have met with some occasion of discouragement, 
through the misreport of our intentions, or through the 
disaffection or indiscretion of some of us, or rather, 
amongst us, for we are not of those that dream of per- 
fection in this world ; yet we desire you to take notice 
of the principals and body of our company, as those who 
esteem it our honour to call the Chur,ch of England, 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 20 

from whence we spring, our dear mother ; and cannot 
part from our native country, where she specially re- 
sideth, without much sadness of heart and many tears 
in our eyes ; ever acknowledging that su^h hope and 
part as we have obtained in the common salvation, wo 
have received in her bosom, and sucked it from her 
breasts. We beseech you that are the Lord's reafiem- 
brancers, to pray for us without ceasing, (who are a 
weak colony from yourselves) making continual re- 
quest for us to God, in your prayers. 

" What goodness you shall extend to us, in this or any 
other Christian kindness, we 'shall labour to repay ; 
promising, so far as God shall enable us, to give him no 
rest on your behalfs, wishing our heads and hearts may 
be fountains and tears for your everlasting welfare^ 
when we shall be in our poor cottages in the wilder- 
ness, overshadowed with the spirit of supplication, thro'' 
tlie manifold necessities and tribulations, which may 
not altogether unexpectedly, nor, we hope, unprofita- 
bly befall us." 

On the 12th of April, four of the largest ships clear- 
ed the channel, and on Saturday, July the 1 2th, the 
Arabella, admiral of the fleet, " passed through the 
narrow strait, betwixt Baker's island and another little 
island,and came to anchor in Salem harbour." In a short 
time the rest of the squadron arrived in safety at Charles-*- 
town, and Salem. 



30 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

In the afternoon the principal gentlemen with the la- 
dies, went on shore, where they were entertained by- 
Mr. Endicott and his friends, with an excellent repast 
of venison, pastry and beer. The rest of the people, 
who could be spared from the ship, landed on the side 
of the harbour towards Cape Ann, where they regaled 
themselves with strawberries, which they found in 
abundance* 

The Thursday after their arrival, the Governor and 
his friends visited " the Massachusetts," to select a 
suitable place for a capital, In a few days inost of the 
party removed to the north side of Charles river, 
[Charlestown,] where a house had been erected for their 
accommodation, hy the party under Endicott. This, 
however, could afford shelter but to a small portion. — 
The greater part lived in booths and tents, exposed to 
the weather, and suffered much from disorders con- 
tracted during the voyage, especially the scurvy and 
small pox. " Almost in every family," says Johnsoa, 
^' lamentation, mourning and woe, was heard, and no 
fresh food to be had to cherish them ; it would assur- 
edly have moved the most lockt up affections to tearef 
no doubt, had they past from one hut to another, and 
]>eheld the piteous case these people were in." 

Capt. Roger Clap, who had arrived a short time be- 
fore Winthrop, gives the following account of their suf- 
ferinsrs. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 31 

'^ In our beginniag", many were in great straits, for 
Want of provision for themselves and their little ones. 
Oh, the hunger that many suffered, and saw no hope in 
the eye of reason to be suppHed, only by clams, and 
muscles, and fish. Bread was a very scarce thing, and 
flesh of all kinds as scarce. It was not accounted a 
strange thing in those days to drink water and to eat 
Samp or homine without butter or milk. Indeed it 
would have been a strange thing to see a piece of roast 
beef, mutton, or veal ; though it was not long before 
there was roast goat. The Indians did sometimes bring 
corn and ttuck with us for clothing and knives, and 
once I had a peck of core for a littte puppy dog. Frost 
fish, muscles, and clams were a relief to many." 

Clap says, oh his arrival,* he found it a vacant wil- 
derness, in respect of English. There were indeed a 
few at Salem and Charlestown, who were very desti- 
titute, and planting time being past, provision was not to 
be had for money. He found at Charlestown *' some 
wigwams and one hoiisc^ and in the house there was a 
a man which had a boiled bass but no bread." 

" Not long after," continues this writer, " came our 
renowned aiid blessed Governor, and di-vers of his assi^r 

-" Capt. Clap was landed at Nantasket the 30tb of May, 
1630, with a number of passengers, among" whom were two 
of the magistrates, Mr. Rositer, and Mr. Ludlow, and two 
clergymen, Mr. Warham and Mr. Maverick. This compa- 
ny attempted a settlement at a place called Watertown, 
but soon removed to Matapan, [Dorchester] " becaua© 
there was a neck of land fit to keep their cattle on« 



32 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

tants with him. Their ships came into Charles ^ river, 
and many passengers landed at Charlestown. Goyern- 
or Winthrop purposed to set down his station about 
Cambridge, or somewhere on the river ; hut viewing 
the place^ liked that plain neck that was called then Black- 
stone^s JVeck, now Boston. But before they could build 
at Boston, they lived, many of them, in tents and wig- 
wams, their meeting place being abroad, under a tree, 
where I have heard Mr. Wilson and Mr. Philips preach 
many a good sermon." 

The early writers of our history, uniformly state 
that Shawmut was preferred to Charlestown, on account 
of its b6ing better supplied with fresh water- In this, 
they have followed each other, and the moderns have 
copied them without examination. It is said, that at 
Charlestown they found only one spring of water in the 
beach, which was overflowed at high water, and at low 
tide was brackish, and could not supply half the neces- 
sities of the multitude. " Mr. Blackstone* coming over," 

* This Blackstone is supposed to have been the first Eng*- 
lishraan, who slept on the peninsula, the whola of which he 
claimed as his property. In the first volume of the records. 
"The lOthdayeofthe 9th mo. 1634, Edmund Quincy,[and 
others] are appointed to make and assess a tax for £^30 to 
Mr. Blackstone." The following deposition shows for what 
pui*pose it was levied. 

The deposition of John Odlyn, aged about 82 years ; 
Robert Walker, aged about 78 years ; Francis Hudson, aged 
about .66 years ; and William Lytherland, aged 76 years.— 
These deponents being antient dwellers and inhabitants of 
the town of Boston, from the time of the first planting there- 



HISTORICAL SK:ETCH. 53 

says Prince, '* informs the Governor of an excellent 
spring" there, withall inviting and soliciting him thith- 
er, upon which Mr. Johnson, with several others, soon 
remove and begin to settle on that side of the river." 

The reason here assigned might account for the re- 
moval ofa band of Tartars, but could not have influenc- 
ed the founders of Boston. If, indeed, they had been 
ignorant of the art of sinking wells to obtain water, and, 
like the aborigines, had been used to slake their thirst 
from springs and brooks, we might conclude that 
Charlestown would nowhave been the metropolis of Mas- 

of, do jointly testify and depose, that in or about the year of 
our Lord sixteen hundred and thirty -font', the then present 
inhabitants of said town, (of wiiora the Hon. John Winthrop 
Esq. Governor of the colony, was chiefe,) did treate an5^ 
agree with Mr. V/illiani Elackstone for the purchase of his 
estate and right in any lands lying within the said neck of 
land, called Boston, and for said purchase agreed that every 
householder should pry six shiL'ii^gs, which was according-iy 
collected — none paying less, seme considerably more ; and 
the said sum was paid to BTr. Blackstone, to liis full con- 
tent, Resers^ing unto himself about six acres of land on 
on the point, commonly called Blackstonc's Point, on part 
whereof his then dwelling-house stood. After which pur- 
chase, the town laid out a place for a Training' Fieldj^ 
wiiich ever since, and now is used for that purpose, and fof 
the feeding of cattle: Walker and Lytherland further tesM- 
fy, that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of cowcs with the 
money he received, and removed n ear Providence, whei-c 
he lived till the day of bis death. 

Boston, the 10th of June, 1604, 

Then personally appeared, fee. before us, 

S. Bradstreet, Goun'r. 
Sam'l Sewall, Assistant* 



34 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

sachusetts. Want of water was not the cause of their 
leaving Salem ; and it is well known that Charlestown 
abounds in water of an excellent quality. Streams of 
fresh water were certainly desirable, particularly for 
the accommodation of cattle ; and Sir Richard Salton- 
stall, Mr. Phillips and others, had already settled them- 
selves at a place well watered, which from that circum- 
stance was afterwards called Watertown. 

They left Salem, " its scituation not pleasing them 
for a capital town^and transported their goods to Charles- 
town, with much cost and labour." Some had previ- 
ously reported in favor of a place up Mystic river, oth- 
ers preferred one three leagues up Charles river." — 
But whatever were the causes of preference or dislike, 
most of the principal characters, excepting the Gover- 
nor and his Deputy, had removed to Boston in the lat- 
ter end of September, as appears from a tax levied on 
the 28th of that month, of which Boston was to pay £l i 

and Charlestown £7. 

However Charlestown may regret their departure 

she has the honor of being recorded by a very grave 
•iiistorian, the mother of Boston. Nor has she ever be- 
held with envy the increasing superiority of her daugh- 
ter. Time has strengthened their union and assimilat- 
ed their interests. 

It is said that Mr. Isaac Johnson was the principal 
cause of settling the town of Boston, and so of its becom- 
ing the metropolis. He had chosen for his lot, the great 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 35 

square, between Cornhill on the S. E. Tremont street 
on the N. W. Queen street, (now court street) on the 
N.E. and School street on the S. W. he died September 
30th. He was buried as he had requested, at the up- 
per end of his lot ; which was the origin of the first bu- 
rying place adjoining the King's Chapel. 

The first Court of Assistants was holden on board the 
Arabella* at Charlestown, August 23, 1630. The /irst 
question propounded was — How shall the Ministers be 
maintained ? and it was ordered that houses be built for 

* This ship was so called in honour of lady Arabella John- 
son, wife of Mr. Isaac .Johnson, before named. She died at 
Salem, in August, about a month after her arrival, Hub- 
bard says she came fiom a paradise of delig-ht and plenty, 
she enjoyed in the family of a noble Earldom, into this 
wilderness of straits, and left hej worthy consort overwhelm- 
ed in grief and tears. She was a daughter of the Earl 
of Lincoln. Mr. John Humphrey, chosen deputy Gover- 
nor at the second meeting of the company in England, mar- 
ried her sister. Judge Davis, in the notes to his company 
discourse, observes that there were several other ladies of 
distinction, who with laudable resolution encountered the 
perils and hardships of commencing- an establishment in this 
country. Mr. Whiting, the Minister of Lynn, married a 
daughter of Oliver St. John ; and Mr. Shearman, the min- 
ister of Watertown, a grand daughter of the Earl of Rivers. 
He quotes the memorable address of the lady of P. Arias, to 
her husband, appointed Governor of Darien, 1514. "She 
perceiving her husband now furnishing himselfe to depart to 
the unknown coastes of the new world, and those lai^e 
tracts of land and sea, spake these words unto him. * My 
deare and well beloved husband, we ought not now to forget 
that from our young yeares we have been joyned together 
with the yoke of holy matrimonie ; wherefore, for my part 
to declare my affection herein, you shall understande, that 
whithersoever your fatall destinie shall dry ve you, ey th«r by 



56 Historical sketckT. 

them at the public charge. Sir R. Saltonstall undertook 
to see it done at his plantation for Mr. Phillips, and the 
Governor at the other plantation (Charlestown) for Mr. 
Wilson : Mr. Phillips to have £30 a year, beginning at 
the first of September following ; Mr. Wilson to have 
.£20 a year till his wife came over, beginning the tenth 
July last ; all this at the common charge, those of Mat- 
tapan (Dorchester) and Salem excepted. 

At the same court it was ordered that carpenters and 
joiners, bricklayers, sawyers and thatchers, take no 
more than tii^o shillings a day^ under pain of ten shill- 
ings to giver and taker. 

On Friday, August 27, Mr. Wilson was ordained pas- 
tor or teaching elder of the church at Charlestown, 
which included the members on both sides of the river. 
The Governor^ deputy Governor, and others, entered 
into church covenant ; a ruling elder, and two deacons 
were also chosen ; and thus was laid the foundation of 
the churches of Charlestown and Boston. 

the furious waves of the great ocean, or by the manifold and 
horrible daung-ers of the lande, I tvjdl surely beare you 
compaay. There can no peryil chaunce to me so terrible, 
nor any kynde of death so cruell, that shall not be much ea-' 
syer for me to abyde, than to live so farre separate from 
you. This is my ful determination, not rashlj", nor present- 
ly excogitate, nor conceived by tlie lig-ht phantasye of wo- 
man's brayne, but with Ipng deliberation and good advise- 
ment'" 

Many of those ladies, " brought up, as it were, amon^ soft 
feathers, with no less stout courage, sustained the roarings 
and rag-es of the ocean, than did eyther their husbandcsor 
any of the maryners brou^^ht up even among the sourges of 
tiie sea." 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 37 

September 7. At the second court of Assistants, 
holden at Charlestown, ordered, that no person shall 
plant in any. place within the limits of the patent,withGut 
leave from the Governor and Assistants, or a major part 
part of them ; and that Trimountain be called Boston ; 
Mattapan, Dorchester ; and the town npon Charles 
river, Watertown. 

The third Conrt was holden at Charlestown, Septem- 
ber 28th; when it was ordered, that no person permit 
any Indian to use any piece [gun] on any occasion, un- 
der £lO for the first oflfence, and for the second, to be 
fined and imprisoned at the discretion of the Court. — 
English and Indian corn being ten shillings a strike, and 
beaver at six shillings a pound, a lav/ was made to re- 
strain selling corn to the Indians, or English out of the 
jurisdiction ; and leaving the 'price of beaver at liberty, 

it presently rose to ten and twenty shillings a pound 

It was also ordered that £50 be levied out of the sev- 
eral plantations for Mr. Patrick and Mr. Underbill — 
probably for some military purpose. 

The FIRST GENERAL COURT of the colony was 
holden at Boston, October 19. From which it should 
seem, that this place had then gained an ascendency 
over the other plantations, either by majority of popula- 
tion, or increase of trade- Still, however, no place 
had been selected for a foriified town. The Court had 
various consultations on the subject at Boston, Roxbury, 

and Watertown ; and finally agreed, December 28, on 
4 



08 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

a place for the seat of goverment on the 'N. W. side of 
Charles river, about three miles west from Charjestown, 
and obliged themselves to build houses there the follow- 
ing spring, and to remove the munition and ordinance 
thither/' This place was at first called TsTewton.but in 
1638, it received the name of Cambridge, which it still 
retains. 

At the. General Couri, just mentioned, an alteration 
took place in the form of Government. When Winthrop 
first arrived with the Charter, the form was that of 
Governor, Deputy Governor, and Assistants; the Paten- 
tecs, with their heirs, assigns and associates, being free- 
men, &c. But now it was proposed for the freemen 
to have the power of choosing Assistants, when they 
were to be chcsen, and the Assistants, from among 
themselves to choose the Governor and Deputy Gover- 
^lor, who, with the Assistants, should have the power of 
making laws and choosing officers to execute the 
siamd ; and this was assented to by the general vote of 
the people ; but when the general court convened ear- 
ly the next 3^€ar, it rescinded this rule, and ordained 
that the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Assistants, 
should be chosen by the freemen alone. 

Sometime in November this year, the Governor and 
Deputy Governor, with most of their Assistants remov- 
ed their famihes to Boston. A Court was holden on 
the 4th, when it was ordered that every Englishman 
wh© kills a woIfe mihin this patent, shall have one 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 39 

penny for every beast and horse, and one farthing for 
every weaned s^.vine and goat in every- plantation ; and 
whoever will undertake to set up a ferry between Bos- 
ton and Charlestown, and begin the same at such time 
as the Governor shall appoint, shall have one penny 
for every person, and one penny for every 100 pounds 
weight of goods he shall transport. At another Court^ 
on the 30th, is was ordered, that one of the Assistants 
be fined £5 for whipping two persons without the pre- 
sence of another Assistant, contrary to an act of Court. 
Another person was sentenced to be whipped for shoot- 
ing a fowl on the Sabbath day. 

It has been before said that Cambridofe had been se- 

lected, as th« most suitahl** nJa.^^ *---; ^ foj-iliiod town...". 

■ ■ ■ "■ i 

According to their agreement they coniinen<5rod the 
,prosecntion of their design in the spring following.... 
In the autumn, however, the Gfovernor took down the 
frame of a house he had erected there, and removed it 
to Boston ; it appearing that this would be the chief 
place of commerce. It had also been determined the 
year before, to build a '^ town fortified upon the 
neck between Roxbury"^ and Boston." But this plan 
v/a9 relinquished, '' because, in the first place, men 
would be forced to keep two families, most of the peo- 
ple havmg built already, and not able to build again ; 
2dly, there is no running water, and if there are any 

* Roxbury wis settled by Mr. Pyachon and others, itt 
September, 1630. 



40 inSTOniCAL SKETCH. 

springs, they wont snfncQ the lowii.'' Both of these 
places were most injudiciously chosen. The peninsu- 
la was in ail respects, the most eligible scite for a 
fortified town in the country ; and it is strange that 
Dudley; who was a soldier hy profession, and had 
served as a captain at the siege of Amiens, under Hen- 
ry IV. did not prefer it to the others. A few pieces of 
Artillery, properly planted oc the ne'^-k, would have 
•commanded that pass, and effectually resisted the un- 
skilful assaults of all the savages' in the country ; and 
an attack hy water wss not to be apprehended from a 
^eet of birch canoes, which could approach from no 
point, without the reach of cannoi on the several hills 
which overlook the ixarbour. Cnicaiaouf, nui:^\:.7. 
the reigning Sachem, continued peaceable, and the 
schems of a fortified to^vn was relinquished. This 
prince, instead of repelling the settlers from his domin- 
ions by force of arms, administered to their comfort,* 
and finally sold theiji this speck of his eztensive territo- 
ry for a -valuable ccnslderaiion: 

The evidence of the conveyance is the followi:ig 
Deposition of his grandson: it is a very curous docu- 
mentj and we insert it for the satisfaction of the present 

'^ In Ai:f^-ust 172*, John Qnittamiig, a Nipm^jg Indian, 
came to Boston, above 112 years of ag-e. He affirmed, 
that in 1630, upon a messag-e that the Ii^ng-Jish ^vere in want 
of corn, soon after ti^eir arrival, be ^vent "to Boston with his 
father, and carried a bushel r.nd a half of corn all the 
way upon his back. That there was tliCR only one cellar be- 
gan in town, and that sonj|||ivhGre Lcar the CGmr.iGn..,.Hutch. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 41 

inhabitants. At this distance of time, to be sure, 
there is no danger of disturbance from the descendants 
of Chicatabut ; still the peaceable and upright manner 
in which our ancestors obtained a title to the soil is not 
to be forgotten.* 

To all whom these presents shall come^ 
I, Charles Josias, alias Josias Wampatuck, late Sa- 
chem of the Indians inhabiting Massachusetts in New- 
England, and grandson of Chicatabut, the former Sa- 
chem, sends greeting*. Forasmuch as I am informed, 
and well assured from several antient Indians, as well 
those of my council as others, that upon the first com- 
ing of the English to set down in these parts, my above 
named grandfather, by and with the advice of his coun- 
cil, for encourag-ement thereof moving, did give, grant 
&c. unto the English planters and settlers, and their as- 
signs, &c, all that neck and parcel of land, lying within 
the Massachusetts colony, in order to their settling and 
building a town there, now known by the name of Bos- 
ton, as it is environed and compassed by the sea, or salt 
waterly, on the northerly, easterly, and westerly sides^ 
and by the line of Roxbury on the southern side, with 
all the rivers, coves, &c. and several other outlands, 
islands, &c. [which are named] which have been qui- 
etly and peaceably possessed and enjoyed for the space 
©f about fifty and five years past, &.c. Wherefore I, * 

* See the purchase from Blackstone, page 36 j note 



4^ HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

tlie said Wampatuck, Sachem, and William Hahaton, 
Robert Momentaiige, and Ahavvton, senior, my counsel- 
lors, by and with the advice of William Stoughton and 
Joseph Dudley, Esquires, my Prochain amys and guar- 
dians, for, and in consideration of a valuable sum of mo- 
ney, to me and them in hand paid, by Eiisha Cooke, 
[and others] do, for the further confirmation of the said 
gift, grant, bargain or sale, of the said grand Sachem 
Chicatabut, willingly approve, ratif}", enfeoff, and ab- 
solutely demise, release, and forever quitclaim unto the 
said Eiisha, &c. all the right, title, &,c. which each 
person hath respectively unto the aforesaid Neck.... 
[Here follows the clause of warrantry, &c.] 

In witnees rvhercof^l the said Wampatuck, [and the oth- 
ers] have hereunto set our hands and seals, the 19th of 
March, .^, d. 16o4-5. Annoque Ri. Ris. Caroli Secun- 
di, Anglve^ kc. xxxvn. 

Some accomil of the Indians who inhabited this coun- 
try, about the time of its settlement, will not be unac- 
ceptable to the reader. Our modern belles, doubtless 
will be pleased to see one of their native y«iV " trick'd 
up in all her bravery." The following detcription is 
from the pen of John Josselyn, who in his title page, 
styles himself a Genthvian. 

Many of them have very good features, seldom with- 
out a come to me^ or cos a>noris. in their countenance ; 
all of them black eyed ; having even, short teeth, and 
very white ; their hair ^ack-, thick and long ; broa^ 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 43 

breasted ; handsome strait bodies, aad slender, consid- 
ering- their constant loose habit. Their limbs cleanly, 
straight, an 1 of a convenient stature, generally as plump 
2ls pat ridges^ and, saving- here and there one, of a mod- 
est deportment. 

Their g-arments are a pair of sleeves, of deer or 
moose skin, drest, and drawn with lines of several col- 
ours into Asiatic works, with buskins of the same ; a 
short mantle of trading cloth, either blue or red, fast- 
ened *vith a knot under the chin, and girt about the 
middle, with a zone, wrought with white and blue 
beads into pretty works ; bracelets for their neck and 
arms, and links to hang in their ears, and a fair table 
curiously made up with beads to wear before their 
breasts ; their hair they comb backward, and tye it up 
short with a border. But enough of this — plain prose 
was unequal to the expression of his admiration, and he 
relieves us by the following specimen of his poetry, 
ivhich, considering the subject, and the age in which il 
was written, is not without merit. 

Whether white or black be beat — 
Call your senses to the quest, 
And your touch shall quickly tell. 
That black in softness doth excel. 
And in smoothnes8^-~hnt the ear^-' 
What, -can that a colour hear ? 
No — but 'tis your black one^s wit 
That doth catch, and captive it. 



44 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

And if a slut and fair be one, 

Svreet and fair, there can be none ; 

Nor can aug-ht so please the taste, 

As what's brown and lovely drest : 

And who'll say that that is best 

To please one sense^ displease the rest ? 

Maug-re then all, that can be said 

In flattery of white and red ; 

Those flatterers, themselves, must say. 

That darkness was before the day ; 

And such perfection here appears, 

It neither wind nor sunshine fears. 

Gookin,who was intrusted with the government of the 
Indians in Massachusetts, says, " their skins are of a 
tavvny colour, the proportion of their limbs well formed ; 
their hair is black and harsh, not curling ; their eyes 
black and dull. Their customs and manners are very 
brutish and barbarous in several respects. They take 
many wives, one of them being principal in their esteme 
and affection. They also put away their wives and the 
wives leave their husbands frequently upon grounds of 
displeasure. If any vt^rong be committed, the whole 
tribe consider themselves bound to take revenge. 

" Their houses or wigwams are built with small poles 
fixed in the ground, bent and fastened together with 
barks of trees oval or arbour- wise on the top. 

" Their clothinar was chiefly made of the skins of wild 
beasts, sometimes mantles of the feathers of birds, quilt- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 46 

ed artificially ; the females decorate themselves with 
bracelets, necklaces, and head bands of black and white 
warapom. They are addicted to gaming, and also de- 
light much m dancings and feasting^. If any strangers 
come to their houses, they give them the best lodgings 
and diet they have. They acknowledge one Supreme 
doer of good, and another of mischief; the latter they 
dread and fear, mare than they love and honour the 
ehief good, which is God." 

As enemies, they were crafty, secret and cruel their 
onsets were suJden and furious, and death in its m!5st 
horrid form, was the usual fate of the prisoner. 

An anecdote is related by Dr. Mahew, in his " Coa- 
-.-^^4., *>^;» Ti-iii-T^-^Vis? of Grace," published in London, 

1695, which shews that the natives were oljsei'vant oi* 
eeremouj^, and felt the full dignity of rank. It is cer- 
tain they were strangers to that imaginary condition of 
life, Ccklled liberty ^nd equality. The inequality of hu- 
man conditions is lessened in proportion, as the mind is 
improved ; and experience shews, that the extreme 
X)f tyranny is found in nations the most barbarous. 

"An Indian Prince coming to Martha's Vineyard with 
about eighty attendants, well armed, being admitted to 
Mr. Mahew's house, sat down. ivlr. Ma-hew enter- 
ed the room, but being acquainted with their customs, 
took no notice of the Prince being there, (it being with 
them, in point of honour, incumbent on the inferior to 
salute the superior :) a considerable time being past, the 



46 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

Prince broke silence, and asked, Sachem, Mr. Mahezv arc 
■you 'well ? To which, having a friendly reply, and treat- 
ing of several things, and of the island, Martha's Vine- 
yard, beiiig peopled with English, the Prince discussed 
something,wherein Mr. Mahew promising to effect what 
Ije desired, immediately subjoined that he must first 
speak with the inhabitants. The Prince demanded why 
he recalled his promise, for, said he, what I promise or 
speak, is always true ; but your English governors, can- 
not be true, for you cannot make your events true ; but 
mine are always true for I make them true. Greatly 
disdaining the popular government of the English in 
this country*" 



CAUSES OF EMIGRATION. 

During this period, religious persecution, raged in 
England with relentless fur;/. The puritans, who would 
not conform with the discipline of the established church? 
nor subscribe to its articles of faith, suffered all the se- 
verities of punishment, which a bigotted and ambitious 
hierarchy, aided by arbitrary power, could inflict. This 
tyranny over the consciences of men, impolitic as it was 
cruel, forced a numerous emigration into other countries, 
and hnally effected the settlement of this country. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 47 

The " errand"* of the first settlers hither, was the 
free enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. The rea- 
sons of their removal, are expressed at large in the ad- 
dress presented to Charles the second, by Bradstreet 
and Norton, who were sent to England as agents of the 
tolony. This contains ail that is necessary to be said 
on the subject. 

Our liberty (said they) to walk in the faith of the gos- 
pel with all good conscience, according to the order of 
the gospel was the cause of our transplanting ourselves 
with our wives, our little ones, and our substance, from 
that pleasant land,over the Atlanii*:k ocean into the vast 
wilderness :•, choosing rather the pure scripture wor- 
ship with a good conscience, in this remote wilderness, 
than the pleasures of England, with submission to the 
imposition of the then so disposed, and so far prevailing 
-hierarchy, which we could not do without an evil con- 
science. We are not seditious as to the interests of Cae- 
sar, nor schismatical as to the matters of religion. We 
distinguish between churches, and their impurities.... 

* The reader, says Mather, will doubtless desire to know 
what it was tliat 

totyolvere casus 

Isig-nes pietate viros, tot adire labores 
Impuierit, 

His quotations are not always so pertinent. 

Rog-er Williams relates thkt the Indians Tfere at a loss t& 
know what induced the Eng-lish to leave England, andcome 
to America. They conjectured that the English wanted 
fuel at home J and came here for wood* 



48 HISTORICAL SKETCH 

We could not live with the public worship of God, nor 
be permitted the public worship, without such a yoke 
of subscription and conformity, as we could not consent 
unto without sin. That we might, therefore, enjoy di- 
vine worship, free from human mixtures, without of- 
fence to God, man, and our own consciences, we, with 
leave, but not without tears^ departed from our country, 
kindred, and fathers' houses into this Paimos. We 
supplicate your Majesty for your gracious protection 
of us, in the continuance of both our civil and religious 
jiberties, according to the patent, conferred upon this 
plantation by your royal father." 

With the following lines, from the pen of James Al- 
len, Esq. a native of Boston, we shall conclude this 
sketch. 

Then to these climes tb' illnstrious exiles sped ; 
'Twas Freedom prompted, and the Godhead led. 
Eternal woods the virgin soil defac'd, 
* A dreary desart, and a howling waste ;' 
The haunt of tribes no pity taught to spare, 
And they opposed them with remorseless war ; 
But Heaven's right arm led forth the faithful train, 
The Guardian Godhead swept th' insidious plain, 
Till the scour'd thicket amicable stood. 
Nor dastard smbi'£;b trench'd the durkj wood ; 
Our sires then earn'd no more precarious bread, 
Nor, 'midst alarms their frugal meals v^ ere spread j 
Fair boding hopes inur'd their hands to toil. 
And patriot virtue nurs'd the thriving soil. 



iHlStOrxICAL STCETCHES. 49 

And now, what states extend their fair domains, 
O'er fleecy mountains and luxurious plains ; 
Where happy millions their own fields possesf, 
"No tyrant awes them, and no lords oppress. 
Here golden Ceres clothes th' autumnal plainj 
And Art's fair Empress holds her new domain , 
Here g-enerci:?s commerce spreads her lib'ral hand, 
And scatters foreign blessings round the land. 

Shall meagre Mammon, or proud lust of sway, 
Rererse those scenes ?.,... Jlfcty Heaven prevent the day. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 



^AME.] ITS original name was Shawmut, which, 

probably signified a Peninsula. Wood, incorrectly/ 
writes it Mishawmut, wliich was the original name of 
tharlestown. The Indian, like the Hebrew names, 
of places were usually significant. 

There were other places, (necks of land) in the 
neighborhood, spdled differently, but of similar sound ; 
as Ashimut or Shumuit, on the western line of Marsh- 
pee ; Mishawin, a place hear the head of Cape Cod ; 
ShoTvamet, some part of Pumham's Island. 

Dy the first settlers at Charlestcwn, it was called 
Tremount, on account of its three hills, which to them 
appeared in a range. These were not, however. Bea- 
con, Co])ps% and Fort hills, as generally supposed ; biit 
'^ three little rising hills en the top of a high mountain 
at the north west ,'=ide of the town." This high mountain^ 
as Wood calls it, is the high ground extending from the 
head of Hanover street, south westerly to the water, 
beyond the new State ITousc, the srnrm.it of which was 
since called Bcaecn hill, now almcst leveled to its 
base. 



DESCRIPTION OF B03T0X. 51 

, It received its present name from the affection of 
some of the first planters for their native place, Boston, 
in Lincolnshire, England, and from respect to their pas,- 
tor, Mr. Cotton, Minister of that place, whom they 
Portly expected to follow them. 

The reason, says Mather, why most of our towns are 
t/alled what they are, is because the chief of the first 
inhabitants, would thus bear up the names of the par- 
ticular places from whence they came. 

The name was ccfnfirmed by act of Court, September 
7, 1630,0. S. which may be considered the date ©f tfee 
foundation of Boston. 



Boston described by our Ancient JVriters. 

The first description we find of Boston, worthy of 
notice, is given by Wood, who made a visit here a few 
years after its settlement. The accuracy of it will 
strike every one acquainted with the town, and har- 
bour, and his stile will amuse the reader. 

" This harbour is made by a great company of islands, 
whose high clifts shoulder out the boisterous seas ; yet 
may easily deceive any unskilful pilot ; presenting ma- 
ny fair openings and broad sounds^ which afford too 
shallow water for ships, though navigable for boats, 
and pinnaces. Tt is a safe and pleasant harbour withift, 



52 DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 

having but ons common and safe entrance, and that not 
very broad ; there scarce being room for three ships 
to come in board and board at a time ; but being ones 
jn, there is room for the anchorage of 500 ships. The 
seamen having spent their old store of wood and water, 
maj here, have fresh supplies from the adjacent islands, 
with good timber to repair their weather beaten ships. 

" Boston is two miles N. E. of Roxbury. His situa- 
tion is very pleasant, being a peninsula hemmed in on 
the south side hy the bay of Roxbury, and on the north 
side, with Charles river, the marshes on the back- 
side, being not half a quarter of a mile over ; so 
that a little fencing will secure their cattle from the 
wolves. The greatest wants are wood and meadow 
ground, which never rvere in this place ; being constrain- 
ed to fetch their building timber, and fire wood from 
the islands in boats, and their hay in loyters ; it being a 
neck, and bare of wood, they are not troubled with these 
great annoyances, wolves^ rattlesnakes and musquetoes.... 
These, that live here upon their cattle, mast be con- 
strained to take farms in the country, or else they can- 
not subsist ; the place being too small to contain ma- 
i2y, and fittest for such as can trade into England, be- 
ing the chief place for shipping and merchandize. 

'' This neck of land ii not above four miles in com- 
pass, in form almost square, having on the south side, 
at one corner, a great broad hill, whereon is planted a 
fort, which can command any ship, as she sails into the 
harbour within the still bay. On the north side is ajj- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. S3 

other hill, equal in bigness, whereon stands a windmill. 
To the northwest is a high mountain, with three little 
rising hills on the top of it, wherefore it is called the 
Tramount. From the top of this mountain, a man may 
overlook all the islands which lie within the bay, and 
descry such ships as are on the sea coast. 

" This town, although it be neither the greatest nor 
the richest, yet is the most noted and frequented, be- 
ing the centre of the plantations, where the monthly 
courts are kept. The inhabitants of this place, for 
their enlargement, have taken to themselves farm hous- 
es in a place called muddy river, two miles from the 
town, where there is good ground, large timber, and 
store of marsh land and meadow. In this place they 
keep their swine and other cattle in the summer, whilst 
the corn is in the ground at Boston, and bring them to 
town in the winter." 

John Josselyn,* before quoted, arrived at Boston 
July 28, 1663. He says " it is in longitude 315 deg. and 

* An author often quoted ; liis book is very rare, and ex- 
cepting the quotation we have made,, very uninteresting- 

lie tarried in Boston, but a few weeks, and then visited his 
brother at Black Point, now Scarborough, where he remain- 
ed eight years, and made it his " business to discover all 
along the Natural & chyrurgical rarities of this Newfound- 
world." He has enumerated many Indian speciiicks. His 
list of herbs begins thus. 

Spear Mint — Rue^ will hardly gLOw,...Fetherf€W, prosper- 
©th exceedingly.... Southernwood, is no plant for this -coun- 
try. ...Nor Rose77iary....l^OTy Bays,...Bloodwort, but sorily, but 
Patience and English Roses^ very pleasantly. 

*5 



54 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

42 (leg. 30 min. of nox'th latitude. The buildings are 
hanijoms, jojii'ag ona to the othar, a^ in London, with 
many large streets, most of them paved with pebble ; 
in the high street toward the com non there are fair 
buildings, some of stone,* and at the east end of the 
town, one among the rest,t built by the shore, by Mr. 
Gibb?, a m ^rchant ; being a stately edifice, which it 
is thought, wiil stand him in little less than j£3000, be- 
fore it be fully finished. The town is not divided into 
parishes, yet they have three fair meeting houses, or 
churches, which hardly suffice to receive the inhabit- 
ants, and strangers that come in from all parts." 

Johnson, in his Wonder-working Providence, thus 
describes it. 

^' Invironed it is with brinish floods, saving one small 
Istmos, which gives free access to the neighbouring 
towns by land, on the south side, on the northwest and 
northeast. Two constant fairs are kept for daily traf- 
ique thereunto. The form of this town is like a heart, 
naturally situated for fortifications, having two hills on 
the frontier part thereof next the sea, the one well for- 
tified on the superficies thereof, with store of great ar- 
tillery well mounted. The other hath a very strong bat- 
tery built of whole timber, and filled with earth ; at 
the descent of the hill, in the extreme poynt thereof, 

* One of Ihcm was probably the house occupied by the 
late Sheriff Allen, now taken down. 

\ The site of this house is uncertain,' 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOiX. 55 

betwixt these two strong arms lies a cove or bay, on 
which the chief part of this town is built, overtopped 
vi^ith a third hill ; all these like overtopping towers, 
keep a constant watch to see the approach of foreign 
dangers, being furnished with a beacon and loud bab- 
bling guns to give notice by their redoubled echo to 
all the sister towns. The chief edifice of this city-like 
town is crowded on the sea banks, and wharfed out with 
great labour and cost ; the buildings beautiful and large, 
some fairly set forth with brick tile, stone and slate, 
and orderly placed with semely streets, whose continu- 
al enlargement presageth some sumptuous city. But 
now behold the admirable acts of Christ, at this his peo- 
ple's landing ; the hideous thickets in this place were 
such that wolves and bears nurst up their young from 
the eyes of all beholders, in those very places where 
the streets are full of girls and boys', sporting up and 
down, with continued concourse of people. Good store 
of shipping is here j^early built, and some very fair ones. 
This town is the very mart of the land ; Dutch French, 
and Portugalls come here to trafique." 

This writer quaintly compares the appearance of 
Roxbury to a wedge pointed^ entering between Boston 
and Dorchester ; and likens Cambridge, the seat of our 
famous University, to a list of Broadcloth. 

Herman Moll, in his Atlas Geographus published is 
London,.! 7 17, gives the following account of Boston. 



56 DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 

" The Capital, Boston, is reckoned the biggest in 
America, except some which belong to the Spaniards. 
It lies on the coast, convenient for trade, defended by a 
strong castle in an island at the mouth of the harbour, 
and on the shore by forts on two or three neighbour- 
ing hills which command the avenues. Here are abun- 
dance of fme buildings, both public and private, as the 
Court-house, the Market place, Sir Wm. Phipp's house, 
&c. It has several handsome streets, and the inhabit- 
ants are reckoned about 12,000. They have four com- 
panies of militia, and three parish churches, besides a 
French church and two meeting-houses, one for church 
of England men, and another for anabaptists. Three or 
four hundred ships have been loaden here in a year with 
lumber, fish, beef, pork, &c. for Europe and America. 
Here's a market every Tuesday, and two fairs in May 
aud October, which last three days each, 'Tis a very 
flourishing city, and for the beauty of its structures, and 
great trade, gives place to few in England. The coun- 
ty court is held here in April, July, October, and Jan* 
uary," 



Boston is the Capital of Massachusetts, the shire 
town of the county of Suffolk,* and the largest and 

* The County of Suffolk, till the year 1793, comprised the 
county of Norfolk. According- to the census in 1791, it con- 
tained 23 towns, 6335 houses^ 8038 families, 44.875 freemen. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOIf. 57 

most opulent town in jN'ew- England. It lies in latitude 
42 deg". 21 min. 30 sec. north, and longitude 71 deg. 
4 min. 30 sec- west of Greenwich observatory. It was 
founded in September 1630 ; and is built on a penin- 
sula of about four miles in circumference. Its length 
from the south line on the neck, running N. N. E. the 
nearest w^y to Winnisimmet Ferry, is two miles three 
fourths, and two hundred and thirty eight yards ; the 
greatest breadth is from Foster's wharf to Barton's 
point, one mile, one hundred and thirty nine yards. 

The Peninsula originally appeared at high water 
like two islands ; the north and south parts of the town 
being connected only by a narrow isthmus, which was 
cut through soon after its settlement, in order to form a 
mill-pond by a supply of water from the harbour. This 
passage is now called mill-creek. A number of person^ 
petitioned the court for the right to a marshy spot of 
ground at the extremity of an inlet from the harbour, 
which was granted on condition that the proprietors 
should erect one or more corn-mills and support the 
same forever, at the western boundary of the stream, 
and throw over it two bridges as convenient conveyan- 
ces between the north and south part of the town ; this 

At present the county is composed of Boston, and the small, 
but ancient and respectable town of Chelsea. This town in 
stead of being an excrescence, should form an integral part of 
the metropolis, or be annexed to the county of Essex. 

Suffolk was so namad in honour of Governor Winthrop, 
who WAS from Suffolk, in England, 



58 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

was complied with. The Indians had a foot path oyer 
the highest past of the marsh or flats, which was raised 
and widened by a Mr. Crabtree to retain the water of 
the pond ; this is the present causeway. On each side of 
the stream, were trees and bushes, which were remov- 
ed to facilitate the current- 

The grant alluded to was made by the town to Hen- 
ry Simons, and others in 1643, and included the mill-" 
pond and flats on either side of the causewa3^ This 
estate a few years since, became the property of the 
Mill Corporation, subject to the original conditions and 
obligations, which were released, 1807, for the consid- 
eration of five dollars. 

" And the said Proprietors are content in exchange 
for such release to fill up and convert the premises into 
solid land, and to grant and confirm ® the town of Be s- 
tcn forever, an estate in fee simple, in and to one eighth 
lot so filled up, of every tract or portion of the premis- 
es, which shall within twenty years from this date be 
filled up and converted into solid land, within and with- 
out the present existing causeway, and one undivided 
moiety of every lot or portion of the premises, which at 
the expiration of said term shall not be filled up and 
converted into solid land, or boxed out in a manner 
equivalent to filling up." 

This grant contained provisos and conditions, which 
we have not room to insert, A great part of the pond 
is already filled upjand the whole superficies is reg^ularly 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 59 

laid but into streets of convenient breadth, and a num- 
ber of handsome buildings are erected on the made 
ground. The new street over the eastern margin con. 
siderably shortens the distance between Charlestowri 
and the centre of the town. A canal unites with the 
Greek, * and receives the boats from Middlesex canal, 
with their cargoes of wood, &c. When the pond is 
wholly filled up, the extent of the town will have been 
increased by the addition of about forty^three acres ; 
and this dull, and disgusting expanse of stagnant water, 
the receptacle of filth and seat of putrefaction, will af- 
ford a pleasant and healthy residence to one sixteenth of 
'the population of the town. 

By this addition, and others on both sides of the town^ 
which will be particularly noticed, it has lost much of 
its original form. The ancient outline cannot at this 
m3 be correctly traced, and its surface has undergone 
changes almost as gTeat as its borders* Another gener- 
ation will look in vain for the appearance of two islands, 
and must find only in books, the three hills, by which it 
was once distinguished. 

It is to be regretted that no map of the town is to l)e 
found of an early date. We have seen one made by 

* July 5th, 1631. The Court of Assistants ordered that 
J^ 30 be levied on the several planlaions, for clearing a creek, 
and opening a passage to the new town. Winthrop says that 
part of the town (thc^north end,) was separated from the rest 
by a narrow stream, >v hie hwas cut through a neck of land 
by industry 



10 descriptioj^^ of Bbsfo?^. 

iBonner, a little more than a century since, (probably the 
oldest extant,) but it gives little information. Since his 
time, till within a few years, the outline has only been 
varied by the indentations of wharves, unequally extend- 
ed toward the channel. The greatest changes have 
been wrought within twenty years. 

It seems that at a very early period, the chief part of 
the town was built " oti the cove or bay," the western 
extremity of which has since been called the town 
DOCK. It is difficult to assign a reason for this ; but the 
first paragraph in the town records establishes the fact, 
that in 1634 this was the " chief landing place,'^ 

The water in the town dock, formerly called Bend- 
all's dock, used to flow nearly up to the town pump, 
which stood in front of an old stone Store, owned by Mr. 
Simpson, on the site of which now stands a brick store^ 
owned by Mr. Tuckerman ; the well still remains. The 
market dock was filled up about 1780 ; the head of it 
was nearly parallel with the east end of the market- 
house, and occupied a part of the lower end of the pre- 
sent vegetablie market. This was the principal place 
for oysters, and oyster boats. Over the square dock 
was a swing bridge, of two equal parts^ which waS 
thrown open to admit the boats. 

The dock originally^^ccupied a considerable space» 
Proposals were tnade in 1710, by Thomas Clark, to fill 
it up, and the town accepted them. Whether any thing 
was ferfoimed is uncertain. This dock was sold to 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 61 

James Everill, a shoemaker, with some reservations, for 
the support of a free school, so early as [1619. - A cer- 
tain writer, 1749, in designating proper places for mar- 
kets, recommends, " that the dock he filled up even 
with the fine wharf which is already huilt out into it." 

Oliver's Dock^ not many j-^ears since, came up to Kil- 
, by-street. A fish shop owned by Mr. Solomon Hewes, 
I used to stand over the water, and parallel to the street. 
On the side of the dock stood the famous stamp office, 
occupied by Lieut. Governor Oliver. This small build- 
ing was tumbled into the water by the patriotic mob in 
1765, and with it was overthrown the scheme of taxa- 
tion which led to the revolutien. The building, now 
occupied as a grocer's shop, by J. Welsh, stands on the 
same spot. 

The greater part of Quaker-lane (Congress street.) 
is made land. An aged gentleman, who lived near the 
spot, says that when the foundation of Joy's buildings 
was preparing,the remains of the hull of an old vessel,or 
large boat, with fragments of canvass, tarred rope, &c. 
were dug up ; which shews the place had been once us- 
ed for a graving yard, or some similar pui^ose. A re- 
lative of our informant, remembered when lighters and 
boats came up the creek (then so called,) as far as the 
"wheat sheafs now the estate of Mr. Kendall, the baker. 
Oft the spot now covered by the corner of Joy's build- 
ings, stood ashop, improved by one Kent, a tanner. His 
tan-yard was in the rear, and in front was a wharf, for 
6 



Q2 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

the 'accommodation of his small vessels. This was oiic 
branch of the creek. 

Aiioih.er branch may be traced thus : — A Mr. Mar- 
shall remembered, when a bo}', smelts were caug-ht at 
the head of tlie creek, near the meeting-hous^ in Fed- 
eral-street, where is now the drain and common sewer. 
A man descended in this some 3'ears ago, and groped his 
^.vay under ground, till he came out at Oliyer's dock... -■ 
Here were a number of cooper's shops; the .workmen 
used to soak their hoops in the water, now covered by , 
an oyster shop, and buildings occupied by painters and 
others. From a view of the ground, there is reason to 
believe that the greater part of Congress-street, the ,. 
whole of Kilby-strcet, and Libertj^-square, are built on j 
liuts once covered by salt water. 

In noticing the great storm and tide, in 1723, the 
writer saj s, '•'• we could sail in boats from the southern | 
battery to the rise of ground in King-street.'" It is hard- 
ly necessary to state, that the neck hasjbeen overflow- 
ed in msny parts, within the recollection of people now 
living. Y\'heQ this occurred, afier the creek was cut, 
the town was in fact two isllnds. 

Another aged inhabitant states, that he has seen a 
canoe sail, at difierent times, over the spot which now 
makes the corner of Congress and Water-streets ; and 
thinks he has seen the water three feet deep in Feder- 
al-street. Ke remembers having heard Dr. Chauncy 
>av, \h'.->i he had taken mieVJ m the place, now improved 



DESCRIPTION OF BOoTOX. ^ 

as ao-arden, belonging to the estate of the. lato Jadge 
Paine, in Milk-street. 

Passing on southerly from the bottom of Milk-street 
to Battery-march, you walk over a spot, which wa3 
formerly occupied by Mr. Hallo well as a ship-yard.... 
Where the Custom-house, and the adjoining stores now 
stand, vessels of great burthen have been built ; and a 
large and ^eautltiil ship, completely rigged, owned by 
Capt. Fellows was launched there, within'the recollec- 
tion of many now living. 

In very^ high tides the water has flowed np to the 
corner of State-street, formerly called the Admiral Ver- 
non tavern, now occupied by Mr. Sumner as a crockery 
store. At the bottom of this street not many years since. 
loses w-ere dug up in a sound state, which trom tiie knol^ 
tnl remains of the boughs, must have been felled nca- 



the spot. 



F<r.-a.-)ti'i'>" t^.s en!ar>>*3m3nt alrcadv noticed, tlic iana 
at the north end h:i-^ encroached but little on the water. 
Ann-street, Fish-street, and Lynn-street were orighially 
laid out near the beach, and mark its l^rm with sulli- 
cient accuracy, 
/^'^l^e settlers, at lirst, pitched their tenta at the foot of 
the three hills, on the eastern side, but most of them 
soon removed to the north end, wlilch, for many year»^ 
was the most populous and elegant part of tlie town. 

The lirst ho-.iscs were meanly built, with thatched 
roofs, and chimnics constructed of pieces ofvrcci' 



64 DSSCHIPTION OF BOSTON. 

ed transverse, and covered with clay mortar.* The 

following anecdote shews the economical spirit of the 

times. Gov. Winthrop in 1632, told his deputy, " that 

be did not well to bestow so much cost about rmins- 

coating and adorning his house, in the beginning of a 

plantation, both in regard of the necessity of public 

charges, and for example. His answer was, that it was 

for the warmth of his house, and the charge was httle, 

being but clap-boards nailed to the walls in form of 

wainscoat." /' 

It is somewhat difficult to account for the decline of 
business at the north part of the town ; or rather to 
shew why it has not retained its former ascendency. 

The channel runs close to the shore, and has depth 
and width sufficient to accommodate shi^s of the great* 
est burden. A ship of the line may be launched into it 
with perfect safety. Its natural situation gives it an 
advantage over any other part of the town ; whether 
ive consider it as a place for comfortable and healthy 
residen e, or its convenience for trade. Still the chief 
improvements have been made south of the creek.... 
Speculation? forces trade and its concomitant improve- 
provements, as artificial heat promotes the growth of 
exotic plants. Hugo masses of buildings and costly 
wharves have grown out of the flats, south of the mar- 

* The first meeting-house at Dorchester was probably a 
shed of this constructioQ. It took fire on account of a laaH's 
'^^yi^S: gun-powder in it, in a frying-pan. 



DEiCRiPTION OF BOSTO?-;. 65 

Eet ; while this portion of the town has been in a great 
measure neglected. This is,however, matter of surprize 
ather than regret, and does great honor to the enterpri-.- 
ins: citizens. The time cannot be distant when the Iocs! 
advantages of the northern section of the town willbo. 
appreciated and improved.' 

/Those who v/ish to form some idear of the town, as it 
ap^pearcd more thm a century since,. mu:t visit the 
north end, The streets remain as they were at first 
constructed, on the model of the old towns in England, 
narrow and irregular, with foot passages, hardly wide 
enough for two persons to walk abreast. The house- 
are mostly built in a plain style, many of them of woo;!. 
and more than a centm\y old. There are tvvo, v/hich 
from the characters of the former occupants, may at- 
tract the notice of strangers. The three story brick 
building at the corner of Salem and Charter-street, was 
erected by Governor.- Phipps, and a very handsouie 
house in Garden-stieet, North-square, was the resr^ 
dence of Lieut. Governor Hutchinspn.y it rec^^ived 
particular and troublesome attention fiom the moij. 
1766. There is also an ancient house in Cross-street, 
in ^yhich, tradition says, the overseers, or assessors first 
met to transact business. '• A mason, who repaired it 
some years since, fotmd loop holes through the walk 
suitable for fire arms ; whence he conjectured, it must, 
have been originally designed, for a garrison house.'' 

If that had been the care, it would have been built ?^ 
*6 



66 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

the public expense, and the fact would have been re- 
corded. The same has been said of some other build- 
ings ; but no house was erer erected in towii for de- 
fence against hostile attack. These things are trifles ; 
but there are those, to whom there trifles are interest- 
ing. The church and meeting-houses will be distinct- 
ly noticed. 

It is to be regretted, that in the early settlement of 
this part of the town, no spaces were left for public 
walks. This inconvenience is greatly felt by the in- 
habitants. If the buildings in North-square were taken 
down, the area might be disposed to great advantage ; 
it is capable of much embellishment ; and if planned 
with taste, would contribute greatly to the healthful re- 
creation of the inhabitants, and constitute one of the 
principal ornaments of the town. The only spot, un- 
occupied by buildings at present, is on Copp's hill ; and 
this is tenanted by the dead. It is to be feared that 
philosophy will not obtain sufficient influence over the 
affections of the present generation, to efiect their re- 
moval. The ancient Romans very wisely had their ce- 
meteries without the walls of the city ; but the ancient 
founders of Boston, who disliked all pagan customs, 
chose the most central and conspicuous stations for their 
burial grounds. 

In time, this desirable end will be accomplished, and 
delay will but increase impediments. The noise of war 
has once shaken these venerable mansions of the dead. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. GT 

and it will ever be a principal point of resistance and 
olFince, when the town is attacked by water. If this 
never happen, it will, on all public occasions, be the 
resort of thoughless merriment, and vulgar curiosity.... 
This hill would be a fine spot for the erection of a mig- 
nificent public edifice ! or it might be converted into 
an airy and delightful promenade. 

From the lofly steeple of Christ's church, you have 
a charming bird's eye view of this part of the town, and 
ft fine prospect of the surrounding scenery. 

Copp's Hill received its name from Mr. Copp, a 
ihoemaker, elder of Dr. Mather's church, who owned 
it. It afterwards became the property of a Mr. Gee.... 
Mt. Bentley, our informant,was born in January, 1726-7. 
He remembers being launched in a vessel from Gee's 
ship-yard more than seventy years since. This yard 
was a short distance from his house in Prince-street, 
where a number of brick buildings now stand. The 
hill rises gently from Hudson's point,* the northern ex- 
tremity of the town, on Charles river. From this spot 

* This point was so named from William Hudson, the first 
mention of whom in the records, is in February 1635, whea 
he was chosen to serve on the " pettie jury." In 1636, " it 
was found that William Hudson hath sould an houselott and 
garden unto one William Mawyer, a strainger, without the 
consent of the appointed allotters, contrarie to a former or- 
der," for which he was fined. In 1635, Mary Hudson left 
by legacy, £10 to the use of the schools of Boston. There 
were also a Francis and Ralph Hudson among the first set- 
tlers. 



H2 DESCRIPTION OF UOSTON. 

the British cannonade J the lown of Gharlestownin 1775. 
at the memorable battle of Bunker hilij and the village 
wa? utterly destroyed by conflagration. Some part of 
the western side of this hill has been taken down, to in- 
crease the ground on Lynn-street, which has been con- 
siderably widened on the river, opposite to Charles- 
town 

In 1644, at a town meeting, it was agreed '• Thai 
Walter Merry hath liberty graunted him to wharfe be- 
fore his propriety by his dwelling house.*' This was 
afterwards called, and now is knov/n by the name of the 
North baitery. The point bore the name of the pro- 
prietor for many 3'^ears. The battery has long since 
been demolished, and the wharf is appropriated to the 
business of navigation. It is a very com-mandiog posi- 
tion for a battery. The following extract may be prop- 
erly introduced in this place, and may gratify curiosity. 

" Proposicions presented to the townsmen, on the 
behalfe of the inhabitants of the north end of the towne 
of Boston, the ratification whereof is desired, and the 
registeringe of them in the towne records, 

'• 1. That we of this end of the towne, whose harts 
the Lord hath made wiihng to set about erecting and 
maintenance of a fortification att Walter Merry's point, 
may for the future bee freed from all rates, and assess- 
ments to what other fortifications bee in the towne, un- 
til such time as the other part of the towne, not joyning 
with us herein, shall have disbursed, and layd out in 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 69 

equall proporcion of their estates mth ouri, as by trew 
account may appeare. 

" 2. That the land gained at the towne's charge, and 
stacked out to the towne's service by those deputed for 
that end, to the raysinge of a work upon, may not by 
any to their prirate occations, be Employed, or made 
use of ; as that the ground nor flatts, before the sayd 
worke may not be disposed of by the towne unto any 
particular man's imployment, to the prejudice of the 
said worke." 

In 1656, there was ah order...." That sixteene pounds 
be paid to Capt. James Ohyer, Peter Oliver, and William 
Davis, for soe much disbursed by them, for the re- 
pairing the north battery." 

Ship-street was so called from the ship yards near it, 
and must be the one alluded to in this order...." That 
the constables shall give speedy warning unto Walter 
Merry, to leave open the highway, upon the sea bancke, 
over which he hath built a roofe, with promise at first 
to maintayne a high waye under it, but since, unto great 
inconvenience, diverted it contrary to the order of the 
towne, and without license." 

Charles river washes the western shore of the penin- 
sula, and empties itself into the bay between Hudson's 
point and Charlestown. Here its breadth is about 600 
yards. Towards the south part of the town, it widens 
into a bay of considerable extent, but the channel be- 
Gomes narrow, and mnavigable by vesseli of cosisidera- 



^s 



70 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

hie size, at low tide. A certain writer, in mentioning 
this river, quaintl}'" says, " the subject is dry though 
watery ; and is not considerable, otherwise than in set- 
thng the south Hne of the Massachusetts colony." It 
is, however, worthy of particular description- 

The source of the principal branch of this river, is a 
pond, bordering on Hopkinton. It passes through Hol- 
liston and Beliingham, and divides Med way from Med- 
field, Wrentham and Franklin, and thence into Dedham. 
From this place its course is northerly, dividing Newton 
from Needhara, Weston and Woltham, passing over ro- 
mantic falls ; it then bends to to the northeast and east, 
through Watertown and Cambridge. It is recorded, 
that in the first setthng of the country, a vessel drawing 
ten feet of water went up as far as Watertown ; but that 
she grounded two or three times in her passage.... 
Lighters and large boats now go up to that place ; and 
vessels over a hundred tons will find sufficient depth of 
water opposite Cambridge village. In former days, it 
served to bring down to Boston, rafts of ship timber 
and lumber from Watertown. It affords a number of 
seats for mills and manufactories^ and adds greatly to the 
beauty and convenience of the towns on its borders. 

This river has not wanted poets to celebrate its beau- 
ties in more languages than one. The following is 
from the invocation of a poem called Beacox Hill, pub- 
lished without name. It is however the production of a, 



DESCPvIPTION OF BOSTON, *J1 

lady, of fine imagination and elegant acquirements, and 
does honor to herself and the place of her nativity. 

Then come, ye Nymphs, hy museful poets seen, 

With eyes of azure, and with robes of green, 

Ye tuneful Naiades of Pieria's tide, 

Come, and o'er Charles'' noblisr waves preside i 

While his sm-ooth banks reflect Apolto^s beam, 

Eatheyour bright ringlets in his silver stream ; 

The graceful swell of well turn'd limbs display. 

And cleave with snowy arms the watery way, 

Or, lowly warbling, as he rolls along. 

Inspire the listening minstrel's vagrant song; 

And thou, gay goddess of j^on clustering- trees, 

Whose loose locks flutter in the wavering breeze^ 

Assist my verse — and, while with ray divine 

Celestial Clio guides the bold deslg-n, ( 

Charm'd by her smiles, with partial bounty raise 

The fairest chaplet of poetic praise. 

Full as the wave o'er Charles' bosom flows, 

Sweet as the breathings of yon whispering- boughs ; 

Deck the lov'd lay witli all your blending views, 

Warm'd bj?^ the glances of th' Historic Muse, 

Whose magic wand restores the trophied plain, 

And tunes to energy the lofty strain, 

Bids the past scene of glorious deeds return. 

And lure oblivion from the warrior,s urn» 



72 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

The following- extracts are made from the oldest rec- 
ords of the town, which have become almost illegible. 
A number of the first pages are unfortunately missing, 
and with them doubtless has perished much topographical 
information of an interesting nature. 

The records commence thus :.."1634, month 7th, daye, 
[present]. Jo. Winthrop, Wm. Coddington, Capt, Under- 
bill, Tho. Oliver, Tho. Leverett, Giles Firmin, Jo. Cog- 
gcshall, Wm. Fierce, Robt. Hardinge, Wm. Brenton. 

" Whereas it hath been founde that much damage hath 
allready happened hy laying of stones and logges near 
the bridge, and landing place, whereby diverse beats 
have been much bruised ; for prevention of such harmes 
for time to come, it is ordered that whosoever shall un- 
lade any stones, timber or logges, where the same may 
not be plainly seen at high water, shall set up a pole or 
beacon to give notice thereof, upon paine that whoso- 
ever shall faile so to doe, shall make full recompencc 
for all such damage as shall happen to any boats or oth- 
er vessels, by occasion of such stones, timber or legges, 
the same to be recovered by way of action at the court; 
and this order to be in force from this day forwarde. 

'• It is also ordered, that no person shall leave any fish 
or garbage near the said bridge or common landirg 
place, between the creeks, whereby any annoyance may 
come to the people that passe that way, upon payne to 
forfeit for every such offence, five shillings, the same ttf 
be levied by distress of the goods of the offender. 




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DESCRIPTiOxN O^ BOSTON. -^3 

•» And for the better execution of these orders, the a^ 
foresaid Giles Firmin is appointed overseer of said land- 
ing- place, to give notice to suche strangers and others as 
come hither with boats, and to take knowledge of all 
offences committed, and to lev3^e the penalties which 
shall be forfeited. 

^' And if, after notice shall be given by the said over- 
seer, to any person that shall have any timber, logges, 
or stones, being without such pole or beacon, the said 
offender shall (after making recompence to the person 
damnified, if any damage happen) forfeit to the towne 
for every day the same offence shall continue, five shill- 
ings, to be levied by distresse." 

These extracts shew, that a narrow point of low land 
projected between the town dock and mill creek, and 
was at that time the chief place of business. The tri- 
angular warehouse^ with three towers, near the fish 
market, was erected on the extreme point, about the 
year 1700. Concerning this ancient building, there has 
been much curious speculation. Antiquarians, howev- 
er, may rest satisfied, that it was not erected for any 
public purpose, and that its foundation was neither sea^ 
nor good dry land. In a ledger book of the owners, 
which we have in possession, are these items. "(1714) 
To cash for ground rent two years, £2 4s. To Ben- 
jamin Hallowell lis. 9 1-2. Cash for a ladder, 17s.... 
Paid Mr. Manly for repairing the tiles and slates. Cash 
^r extraordinary charges when the cellar was overjiow^ 



U t)ESCRIPtfON OF BOSTOr^", 

ed^ 15s." It was built by London merchants for I 
warehouse, and was subsequently improved for differ- 
ent purposes, both public and privatei 

For a number of seasons after the settlement of the 
town, it was difficult to procure food for the support of 
the cattle. English grass was not to be had till some 
improvements were made in agriculture, and the pen- 
insula was not sufficiently extensive to accommodate the 
cattle of the numerous settlers, had every vacant spot 
been well cultivated. Recourse was had,therefore,to salt 
marshes in the neighborhood, which were considered 
town's property, and were allotted to individuals in pro- 
portion to the number of their beasts. Suitable places 
for pasturage were in like manner appropriated. These 
were chiefly the neck, Rumney marsh. Muddy river,' 
Nprih river. Mount Wolliston, and several islands in the 
harbour. It i;i somewhat difficult to determine why 
Boston should have thus extended her jurisdiction, to 
the Gxclasicn of other corporation^ 

In 1731, December 18, it was agreed, that " Mr. 
Vunthrop, Mr. Coddington, Mr. Eellingham, Mr. Cot- 
ton, Mr. Oliver, Mr Colborne, and Vvilliam Balstone, 
shall have power to divide and dispose of all such 
lands-belcBging to the town, (as arc not yet in the law- 
fit! possession of any particular person,) to the inhabit- 
ants of the town, leaving such portions in common for 
new comers^ and Hhe further- benefitte of the towne, as 
"in iheir best discretion they shall think ftit j the islandr 



i^ESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. "4 

liyred by the lawne, to bo aUo iucluaed m ibis or- 
der." 

Those who have occasion to search the early re^ 
cords of the town, should kaow, that sometimes the 
whole peninsula was called the neck ; sometimes that 
part, only which connects Boston with Roxbury, an4 
sometimes they will meet with the expression, ^kJmi 
the neck. These distinctions are to be particularly ob- 
served in tracing the original titles of the allotmeiits. 

^' 9th of the 12th monthe, 1634, it was agreed, that 
all the inhabitants shall plant only upon such ground as 
is already broken up, or inclosed in the neck, or els(=, 
upon the ground at Noddle^s island, from Mr. Maver- 
ick's grant, and that every able man fitt to plant, shaU 
have allowed him two acres to plant on ; and for every 
able youth, one acre, to be allotted out by Mr. Hutchinr 
son [and others.] 

'' Item.... That every man shall make his fences suf- 
ficient for all his planting ground on the necke, upon 
paine that if any losse do come for defect therein, the 
damage shall be satisfied by such, upon whose fence the 
breach shall be ; unless it doe come by unruly cattell, 
and that then such are owners of them, shall, after 
warning given unto them,°satisfie for all after damages by 
their said unruly cattell ; and all the fences to be made 
Hufficient before the 7th day of the second month, and 
they to be looked unto by our brother Grubb ; and 
brother Tliuhon for the new /eZ'i ; brother Peunyman 



■?« BESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

and brother Colborne for the field by him ; and broth- 
er Pennand brother Belcher, forthe fort field. 

" Further.,..23d of the last monthe, that all cattell 
whatsoever, (except such as are constantly employed in 
the drau-hte) and weaned caulyes 20 weeks old, and 
Tveaned mayle kiddes, shall be kept abroad, from oif 
the NECKE, upon penaltie for every one unput away with- 
in a week after warning, 2s. for every week not put a- 
way ; and our brethren John Sanford, William Chees- 
borough, and William Balstone, to take care for the ob^ 
serving of this order. 

" lTEM....That no swi^s above 1 2 weeks ould shall be 
suffered to go at Irbertie on the ne.ke, but kept 
up m yards, upon penaltie, &c. to be looked unto by 
the aforesaid brethren ; and i% too look to and ap- 
point keepers, and to see them payed for their soe 
keeping the swine ; to be put from off the necke before 
the first of the next monthe, or else to keep them up in 
their yardes," 

In 1535, it was agreed—,- That the overseers of the 
fences of the severall fields, shall see to the making of 
such styles and gates, as may be needful for every field ; 
and our brother Yvlldore to see to the gate and style' 
next unto Roxburie. The styles and gates for the 
common high wayes to be made out of publique charge 
forth of the constable's hand ; and the pryvate styles 
and gates to be made at the chargs upon the lande in ev 
o.ryi\o]i:i proportionablie for every head. 



©ESCRIP-TION OF BOIbTON. 77 

•'• 1te:j.... Whereas the tc;oof^ upon the necke of land 
towards Roxbiirie gate, this la«;t winter [hath] been dis- 
orderlj^ cCit oil and wasted, wherc]>y the poor inhabit" 
ants are disappointed of rehef, the\' might have had 
there in after and needful tjmes ; now it is generally 
ag:reed, that Mr. Treasurer [and others] with the three 
deacons, shall consider Avhoe have been fauitie h-ereiB, 
and set downe what restitution of wood unto the poore^ 
such shall make according- to their severall proportions.. 

" Item.. ..That noe wood shall bee felled at any of the 
islands nor eisev/here, untiil they be lotted out, but at 
Muddy river, Dorchester necke,* or Noddle's island* 
Item. ...that all the wood, as yet loi^t upon (he riecke of 
land towards lloxburie. shall bee gathered up and layd 
or heaped in pyles from foyling to the ground, before 
the 7th of the next 2d monthe, upon the forfeiture, &c, 
left undressed up for every weeke afterwarde, to be 
payed by those that felled the wood, into the constable's 
hand for publique use.'* 

The above extracts prove, that Wood, the historian, 
was wrong in asserting that ''wood was '/zez'cr in this 
place." It had, doubtless been the favorite residence of 
the natives formany years, and a considerable portion 
had been clearly burning, as was their custom for the 
culture of corn; hence it was sometimes called the 
plahi neck, and «;ompared with the surrounding country, 

* This is now a part of Boston, and will be particularlv 
described under the article Scuik Boston-, 



78 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

covered with interminable forests,it mig-ht,vvith propriety 
be called plain. There were, however, many large 
clumps left, suflicient for fuel and timber. The growth 
was probably similar to that of the islands. Had the 
peninsula been wholly denuded of trees, even the temp- 
tation of Mr. Blackstone"'s spring of fresh z^ater^ could 
not have induced the first planters to settle at Shaw- 
mut on the approach of a rigorous w^inter. 

As a proof of its having been an ancient populous In- 
dian settlement, tradition says, there was discovered a 
kind of Golgotha on the spot where Gardner Green's 
house stands, on the side of the hill, Tremont- street.... 
Dr. Mather related that 300 skull bones had been dug 
up there, when he was a youth ; and his report should 
not be discredited without sufficient reason. Perhaps 
future delvers may discover other bones to confirm the 
fact. 

The lollowing votes, passed in 1635, at a general town 
meeting, are v/orihy of particular notice. 

'•'" Imprimis.... It is agreed that noe further allottments 
shall be graunted unto any new-comer.s, but such as 
may be likely to bee received members of the congrega- 
tion. 

•' Ite". ..That none shall sell their houses or allott- 
msnts to any new-comers, but with the consent and al- 
lowance of those, that are appointed allotters. 

" Item.. ..That such as have allottments for habitations 
allotted unto them, shall hui^d thereon, before tlie Ist 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 19 

of the first monthe next, called March, or else it shall 
be in the power of the aiiotters to dispose of them. 

•• Item.. ..That Mr. Wiiliam ilutchiiison [and others] 
shall set pryses upon all cattell, commodities, victualls 
and labourers, and workmen's wag-es, and that noe other 
pryses, or rates shaii be given or taken. 

'• Item.. ..That none of the members of this congre- 
gation or inhabitants amongst us sue one another at the 
lavce before that Mr. Henry Vane and the twoe elders, 
Mr. Thomas Oliver, and Thomas Leverett, have had 
the hearing and desyding of the cause if they cann." 

In December of the same year, it was agreed — that 
" noe manner of cattell, neyther cowes,nor gelt beast, 
horse, swine, or goates, shall be kept or suffered to go 
at Hbertie on the inward necke, from the middle of 
the second monthe, called Aprill, untill the latter end 
of harvest. 

'' Item.. ..That Mr. William Brenton [and others] ap- 
point where, and what manner offence shall be made be- 
tween the TWOE neckes, and also appoint every man that 
ishall have any new allottment of planting ground upon 
the neck, how much of the said fence they shall make, 
and to allow of the sufficiency thereof; or else they are 
not to have the planting ground. 

" Item... .That in regard of the unequal] disposing of 
the planting ground heretofore, it is now agreed by 
general consent, that none shall be accounted to have 
2^\y estate of inheritance in any planting ground upon 



so DESCRIPTION OF BOfSTON. 

the necke, save only in their house plotts, gardens, and 
yards, untill the tovvne shall lake order for a more 
equal! disposing thereof bj distriDution." 

In making allotments the ministers were not forgot- 
ten •, — In 1634, it v/as ordered, •' Mr. Wilson, the pas- 
tor (in lieu of his land granted bim at the ISTorth river 
by ?,Iystick,^which he shall passe over to the town of 
Boston) shall have as mi^ch land at Mount Wollistcn. at 
his election ; and after, so much as shall be his portion 
of other lands belonging to this town to be layd him out 
so near his other land at Mount Wolliston, as may be 
most for his conveniency." 

In 1635, " at a general meeting upon public notice, 
the 11th of the tenth monthe. among other things, it 
was agreed, that Mr. lYilliani Colborne, Mr. William 
Aspinwall [and others] shall lay out at Muddy river, a- 
sufficient allotment for our teacher^ Mr. John Cotton, 

"" Item... .That the poorer sort of inhabitants, such as 
are members, or likely to be, and, have no cattle, shall 
have their proportion of allotments for planting ground^ 
and other assigned unto them by the allotters: and laid 
out at Muddy river by the aforenamed (five persons) 
► — those that fall between the foot of the hill,^ and the 
water, to have but four acres upon a head, and those 
that are farther off, to have five acres per head." 

In 1635^ mention is made of four fields within the 
town ; "• the field towards Roxburie, the fort field, the 
mylne field, and the newfield." The ia?t only remaics^ 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 81 

tinoccupied by buildings, and is called the Common ; 
this will be particularly noticed under another head. 

About this period a number of votes were passed of 
this kind. " Item.... we find that Richard Fairbanke 
hath sould unto two© straing-ers, the two houses in 
Sudbury-end, contrary to a former order, and therefore 
the sale to be wrong, and he to forfeit for his breaking 
thereof j£5. Item. ..we find that Isaac Collymore, car- 
penter, hath sould his house unto a strainger, contrary 
to the same order, and therefore the sayle to be voyd, 
and that said Isaac to forfeit for his breaking thereof^ 
the like sum. 

/ So late Ss the year 1656, the territorial limits of the 
town had not been determined. In that year it was or- 
dered, '• that at the next general court, motion be made 
by the deputies, that the line between Boston and Lynn 
be determined by said court." 

The (plain NECK, so called) within the limits of Bos- 
ton, is in length one mile and thirty nine yards. A part 
of it has been greatly widened and improved by build- 
ing Froat-stx-eet, and the whole extent has been raised 
by art above its original level. 

Excepting these, the neck has undergone but little al- 
teration. The old fortifications, the building the street, 
&c. will be distinctly noticed. 

A considerable part of the neck is still unimproved, 
but a great number of handsome buildings have been e- 
rected there withia a few years, and, probably, in a short 



9% DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

time it will be entirely covered, and Boston and Iloxbu- 
ry will be united by a continued range of buildings, on 
each side of the street. A few acres have been reser- 
ved by the town for public use, which, at a small expense, 
might be formed into an airy and pleasant walk 5 an ac- 
commodation, much wanted at the south end. 

The superficial contents of the town have been usu- 
ally stated at seven hundred acres. We regret that we 
are unable to state the number with precision ; but if it 
contained seven hundred when it was first settled, we 
do aot hesitate to estimate its contents, at present, in- 
cluding, wharves, at between twelve and thirteen hmdrcd.^ 
dusres. I 



Islands. 

THE following table of the islands in Boston har- 
bour, was made by Mr. Pemberton, with great care.... 
The distances are from actual survey, according to 
Des Barije^ excellent chart. Although not all of the 
islands in the table belong to Boston, as will be seen, 
yet the propriety of inserting the. table entire, is mani- 
ifest. As the account was drawn up some j^ears since, 
the remark on the Light-Iiouse, Nick's Mate, and a few- 
others, are at this time a Utile incorrect. Ccrrectioni? 
will be subjoined. 



Description of BosroN. B 

isLiNDS a?:d rocks in a.vd .\eaii boston harbour. ^ 





Dist.from 






?v''ames. 


Long wharf, 


Situation, 


In ivhat 


■"i — 


Boston. 




place. 


•ipple Island, 


2 5-4miles. 


Bet. Snake and 








Green Island. 


Boston. 


Apthorp's, a pari 








of Calf, 


9 






Bird Island. Soil 




Bet. Noddle's and 


Bostorf, 


washed away, 


1 1-12 


Gov. Island. 




but dry at low 








water. 








Great Brewster. 








Contains about 




,- "■ 




25 acres. A 


7 C-4 


Bet. Lovell's and 




high Cliff, to- 




Lig-ht hduse. 


Hull. 


wards the sea, is 








lessening- every 








year. 








Middle Brewster. 








Rocks, with a 


1-8 


Bet. the Gregit and 




small portion of 




Outer Brewster. 


Hull. 


soil. 








Outer Brewster. 


G 1-4 


East form Middle 








Brewster. 


Hull. 


Bumkin Island. 


1-4 


Bet. Nantasket and 








Little Hog- island. 


Bingham. 


Button Island. 


11 1-4 


Bet, Sailor's island 
and Hingham. 




Calf's Island. A 




Bet. Great Brews- 




rock covered in 




ter and Green Isl- 


Hull. 


some parts with 


7 3-4 


and. 




soil. 




Bet. Thomson's Isl- 


Boston. 


Castle Island. 


2 1-3 


and and Boston, 




Chandler's Island 








called Lang-Iej's 




Bet. Bumkin Island 




m Des Barre's 
Chart. 


103.4: 


and Hingham. 

1 


Hiug-haDi, 



S4 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 



J^ames. 



Disl. from 

Long wharfs 

13 >sion. 



Situaiion. 



In what 
place. 



£)ecT Island. 

Wasting- to- 
wards the sea 
and gaining" on 
the inside, and 
at the East- 
point. 

Eg-g- Rock. A 
bare rock. 

Gallop's Island. 

George's Island. 

Governor's Isl- 
and, containing- 
about 70 acres. 

Grape Island. 

Graves. Bare 

Rocks. 
Green Island. — 

Rock, covered 

with soil in most 

parts. 

Half Moon Isl 
and. 

A small Island. 

Hangman's Isl- 
and. 

Harding's Rocks 
visible at low 
water. 



4 1-4 miles 

8 3-4 
6 

6 1-2 

1 7-8 

8 7-8 

9 1-4 

7 7-8 



6 1-8 

4 3-4 

10 3-4 



Bet. Shirley Point Boston, 
and Lovell's island 



E. from Light-house 



Bet. Lovell's and 

Rain ford's. 
Bet. Lovell's and 

Pettick's. 
Bet. Deer and Birdg^st^j^^ 

Island. 



Hull. 



Bet. Bumkin and 

Weymouth. 
E.by N.from Green 

Island. 



Hei. Calf and 
Graves. 



Bet. Nut Island and 
Squantum. 

Year Half Moon. 

'et Pettick's arid 
Moon Island. 

. E. 1-2 S. from the 
Lig"ht-House« 



Hull 



DorchejB 
ten 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 



8i> 



J^ames. 



JDist.from 

Long wharf, 

Boston. 



Hog" island. 

Little Hog isl- 
and. 

Light-house isl- 
and. Rock with 
3-4 of an acre 
tof soil. A bar 
dry at low wa 
ter connects 
with the Great 
Brewster. A 
stone Light- 
house, shows 
one light. 

Long island. 

Lovell's island. 
Mooii island. 

Nick's Mate. 
Nearly washed 
away by the sea 

Noddle's island. 

Nut island. Joins 
the main at half 
tide. 

Pettick's island. 

Raclkoon island 

Ragged island. 

Rainford island. 
I, ...Rocks. 



2 i-2miles. 
8 7-8 

8 1-4 



4 3-4 

6 1-4 
4 3-4 



11 


3-4 


7 1-4 


6 7-8 


8 i-4 


10 3-4 



Situation, 



In what 
place. 



Bet. Noddle's and Boston. 

Chelsea. 
Bet. Nantasket and Hull. 

Bumkin. 



5 7-8 
6 



Bet. Point Alder, 
ton and Middle 
Brewster. 



HulL 



Bet. Nick's Mate 
and Spectacle isl. 

Bet. Long island 
and Gt. Brewster, 

Bet. Thomson's and 
Hangman's. 

Bet. Long island 

and Gallop's. 
i3et. Boston and 

Hog island. 
Bet. Pettick's and 

Germantown, 

Bet. Geor-ge's and 

Braintree Great 

Head. 
*^et. Sheep island 

and Germantown. 

7ear Chandler's. 
:5et. Gallop's and 
ii angman'^r: .,S. W . 
I'rom Rainslord's. 



BostoH. 

Boston. 

Dorches- 
ter. 
Boston. 

Boston. 



Hull 

Quincy, 
Mingham. 

HulL 



u 



DESCRIPTION OP BOSTO!^, 





Dist. from 


In what 


J^ames. 


Long wharf 


, Siiuaiion. place. 




Boston. 


Sailor's island, 








called Sarah's 
in Des Barre's 
Chart. 


11 


Bet. Bnmkin and 
Hing-ham* 


Hingham 


Sheep island, 


8 3-8 


Bet. Bnmkin and 

Pettick's. 




Slate island. 


9 3-8 


Bet. Bumkin and 
Weymouth .river. 




Snake island. 


3 1-4 


Bet. Apple island 


^Sostoiii 






and Shirley Point. 


Spectacle island. 


3 5-8 


Bet. Castle & Long 
island. 


Bostpn. 


Sunken island. 


6 1-12 


Bet. Long- island 
and Pettick's. 




Thomson's island 


3 1-2 


Bet. Tvloon & Dor- 


Dorches- 






chester. 


ter. 


A small islanc' 






Charles- 


Marsh in Mis- 


2 1-4 


Near Maid, bridg-e. 


town. 


tick river. 








tihirlcy Point. 


4 1-2 




Chelsea. 


A.lde i ton Point. 


9 1-2 




Iltilh 



In IQ.-n., it was " ordered that Deare island shall he 
improved for the maintenance of a free schooh for the 
towne. and such other occasion as the townsmen, for 
the time being-, may think proper, the said schoole,- be- 
mg sufficiently provided for." 

Rainsford Island was probably, so named, from Ed- 
waixl Rainsford, oAe of the old planters. A hospital has 
been; erected on this island, for the reception of seamen 
and others ijifected . with corjtag-ious disorders. It^is luj 



DESCRIPTION OF boston; ^. 

der the controal of the Board of Health, vdio are au- 
thorised " to elect and appoint a principal Ph3^sician, 
who shall reside in Boston, and an assistant Physician, 
\vho shall, during the time of quarantine, reside on the 
island; also an island keeper, boatmen, and such other 
ofiicers as may be necessary to carry into effect, the 
regulations of the Board." It is now called Ho?5pital 
Island. 

Castle Island. See' Fort Independence. 

Governors Island \Ya&^t first called Con ant's Island.... 
It was demised to Governor Winthrop in 1632, and for 
many years after, was called the Governor's garden.... 
It is now in the possession of James Winthrop, Esq. a 
descendant of the first Governor, excepting a part con- 
veyed by him to the United States, for the purpose of 
constructing a fortress now called Fort Warren, Its 
situation is very commanding', and in some respects su- 
perior to Castle Island. It is to be regretted that the 
frug'aiity of government, should have limited the gen- 
ius of the able engineer who planned the present works, 
to the expenditure of a certain sum. At present (1817) 
it is occupied by United Stales troops, under the peace 
establishment, and is a very healthful and pleasant en- 
campment r 

Light-house Island^ was known for many years by the 
name of Beacon Island. The first hght house was erect- 
ed in 1715. Pilots are established at this place, pro- 



8« DESCRrPTION OF BOSTON. 

vided with excellent boats, and a piece of artillery to 
answer signal guns. 

J\''ick''s Mate was an important land mark to ships nav- 
igating the channel. Having almost disappeared, a large 
piece of stone work was erected on the spot, at the 
expense of the State. 

Koddle's Island was first occupied by Samuel Maver- 
kke. He was on it when the settlement of Boston 
commenced. He afterwards had a grant of it from the 
General Court, and built a fort, in which he mounted 
four cannon. 

In 1814 a strong fortress was built on this island by 
the State, and called fort Strong, in honor of the Gov- 
ernor. 

Shirley Point formerly had the name of Pulling 
Point. The aame which it now bears, was given it by 
the proprietors, as a mark of respect to the late Gover- 
nor Shirley. A number of gentlemen in Boston pur- 
chased lots there for the purpose of carrj'ing on the 
iishery, and as a r'esidence for the fishermen whom they 
might employ. It was begun with spirit, but soon de- 
clined ; and not answering the expectations of the un- 
dertakers, the business was wholly laid aside. 

At the outset they erect 3d a number of large hand- 
some dwelling houses, for their own accommodation 
when on a visit there for a few daj^s together, and also 
a house for public worship. If they had appropriated 
the monies these buildings cost, to the erecting of a 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 89 

iiuraber of smaller ones, suitable for the families of fish- 
ermen, and accommodated to their manner of living, 
and had supplied them with necessary articles for their 
support, at as low rates as they could have been pur- 
chased at the capital, it is probable many would have 
taken residence on the point, been always at hand for 
the business, and the proprietors would have reaped 
advantage from the undertaking. 



Fires, 

This town has raftered greatly hy fires, at dilTerent 
periods. During the 17th century, the most remarka- 
ble are the following, viz. 

In 1633 was the first fire m Boston, of which I find 
any record. Neither tlie month, nor the part of the 
town in which it happened, are mentioned. 

1676, November 27th, a fire broke out early in the 
morning, in a house near the Red Lion, in which forty- 
live dwelling houses, the north meeting-house, and sev- 
eral warehouses were consumed. Large llakes of fire, 
hy the violence of the windy were carried over the riv- 
er and endangered the tovva of Charlestown. 

1679, August 8tli. In the night. Gross' house, near the 
Town dock, took fire. Upwards of eighty dwelling 



9i DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

houses, seventy stores, and several vessels in the dock 
were destroyed. 

1683, October 8th. Another fire broke out the south 
side of the draw-bridge-street, near the dock, and con- 
sumed a great number of dwelling houses, warehouses, 
and vessels, according to Governor Hutchinson's histo- 
ry, this fire was in the richest part of the town, and hap- 
pened after the 23d of October. 

1690, August 3d. A fire near the Mill bridge con- 
sumed several houses. 

1690, September 16th. A fire near the south meet- 
ing house, greatly endangered it, and burnt several 
houses. A lad was burnt to death in the house where it 
began. The best furnished Printing-house then in the 
countrj'^, with press and types, were destroyed. 

1691, June 30th. A fire happened at the King's 
Head, by Scarlefs ^vharf, North-end, several houses 
were consumed. 

The most remarkable fires in Boston, in the last cen- 
tury, happened in the years 1702, 11, 47, 59, 60, 61, 
62, 63, 67, 75, 80, 87, 94. An account of some of them 
follows, viz. 

t71I, October. A lire broke out in the house of 
Capt. Ephraim Savage, in WilUams' Court, near the 
centre of the town, in which all the houses on both 
sides of Cornhili were consumed, from School-street to 
a stone shop, lately standing at the foot of Cornhill, on 
Market-scjuarc. All the upper part of what is now called 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOJV, 01 

State-street, on the north and south sides, together with 
the Town house, and the first meeting-house erected in 
the town were burnt. We understand they had not 
then in the town any fire engines ; and the method tak- 
en to stop the progress of the flames,by blowing up the 
houses, had a contrary effect, and served to scatter it. 

1747, December 9th. The Town-house, erected in 
the year 1712, with a number of records and public pa- 
pers, were consumed. 

1759. A fire happened at Olivers Dock, in Novem- 
ber or December, when about fifteen families were 
burnt out. 

Another fire in a few weeks after, broke out at West 
Boston, when two rope walks, with their apparatus were 
burnt. The loss sustained, amounted to some thous- 
ands of pounds. 

1760, March 1 7th. On Monday a fire at West-Bos- 
ton consumed a Joiners shop. A large dwelling house 
was also nearly consumed, and part of its contents.... 
Some other buildings in the neighbourhood were damag- 
ed. The wind being high at N". E. the top of the West 
meeting-house took fire in several places ; but a good 
supply of water and the alertness of the citizens, un- 
der favour of Providence, saved the meeting-house from 
destruction. 

1760, March 18th. Tuesday, the next day in the 
forenoon, a store at the upper end of Griffin's wharf 
caught lire. The chamber was used as a labaratory by 



9^^ DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

a detachment of the British train of artillery then here. 
The circumstance of artillery stores being in the build- 
ing, gave general alarm, and for a time the citizens were 
afraid to approach near it. The, fire communicated to 
some powder, and the building blew up. In the explo- 
sion some men were hurt ; two grenadoes and some 
small arms went off, but did no damage. The extreme 
parts of the town were affected by the shock of the ex- 
plosion. A blacksmith's shop was also burnt. It stood 
between the labaratory and some warehouses on the end 
of the wharf, where the principal artillery stores were 
deposited ; but the wind being moderate, and a full tide, 
the flames were prevented from spreading further. 

On Wednesday the 19th March, the day following the 
last fire, the town was alarmed with the cry of fire in 
different parts, and at different times. These ushered 
in the Great Fire, which happened early in the morning 
of the next day, viz. 

1760, March 20th. It was discovered between one 
an d 2 o'clock on Thursday morning. The desolation was 
greater than the town had hitherto experienced by fire. 
Till this time, the fire in 1711 was called the great fire ; 
the term is now transferred, and marks this period. It 
extended from the Brazen head in Cornhill, the house 
where it began, far and wide. It burnt several large 
buildings on the front of the street. After it began, the 
wind rose and directed the flames into King-street, Lev- 
erettVlane, (now Congress-street) Water-streetjOliver's 



DE=5CIIIPTI0X OF BOSTON. 93 

dock • some houses caught fire near Fort-hill. The dam- 
a'>-e is represente'i in the following vote of the General 
Co!irt, passed t^vo days after the fire. " On the best 
information that could in so short time be obtained, there 
were consumed one hundred and seventy-four dwelling 
houses and tenements, one hundred and seventy-five 
warehouses, shops, and other buildings, with great part 
of the furniture, besides large quantities of merchandize 
and the stock and tools of many tradesmen. That the 
loss, upon a moderate computation, cannot be less than 
one hundred thousand pounds sterling ; and that the 
number of families inhabiting the aforementioned hous- 
es was at least two hundred and twenty ; three quarters 
of whom are by this misfortune re ndered incapable of 
subsisting themselves, and a great number of them re- 
duced to extreme poverty, and require immediate re- 
lief" 

Three thousand pounds currency, about two thousand 
two hundred and fifty pounds sterling, were voted to be 
drawn out of the public treasury for their relief Gov- 
ernor Pownal sent briefs throughout the province, re- 
commending a general contribution for the unhappy 
suiferers. 

• Contributions were made in the several religious so* 
cieties in the town and country, and in some of the sis- 
ter colonies. In Virginia they raised one thousand 
three hundred and fifty-three pounds, four shillings, and 
remitted here. Some well disposed foreigners sent their 



©4 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOjST. 

benefactions. Mr. De Berdt ordered one hundred 
pounds sterling to be paid on his account into the hands 
of a committee chosen to receive and distribute the 
sums given. The late Rev. George Whitfield collect** 
ed at his tabernacle in London, two- hundred and fifty 
pounds sterling for this charitable purpose. The town 
have qIso to acknowledge the receipt of generous dona- 
tions from other gentlemen ; but as we do not know the 
names of the donors, we are obliged to omit them. 

1761, January 13th. Faneuil Hall, together with the 
shops on the Town dock, belonging to the town, were 
consumed by fire. In the evening the conflagration was 
great, and endangered the dwelling houses and mer- 
chants' stores near it. 

1762, June 10th. About one o'clock in the iporning 
a fire was discovered in a bake-house in Williams' 
court, occupied by Mr. George Bray, which, together 
with a large quantity of flour, and most of the houses, 
barns, &c. in the court were burnt, and some buildings 
contiguous. 

1763, January 16th. In Newbury-stroet, about ten. 
o'clock, A. M. a fire happened. Five or six houses 
were consumed, and several others damaged. A large 
quantity of snow lay on the ground, and made it very 
difficult passing and repassing to remove effects ; but it 
happening in the day, at that cold season, was a very 
favourable circumscaace. 



DESCRIPTION OF B6ST0N. ^B 

1767, February. A fire broke out in Bray's bake 
house, the south side of the Mill creek. It passed over 
the creek, and set fire to the houses in Perraway's or 
Ball's alley, now Centre-street. Cn the north side of 
the creek, it consumed seventeen or more houses in the 
alley. The houses in Ann-street or Fore-street were 
in great danger : some of the inhabitants removed all 
their furniture. A large handsome building in Carnefe'^ 
court, in said street, belonging to Jonathan Williams, 
Esq. was burnt. 

1775, May 17tb. On the evening of this day^ a store 
on the south side of the Town dock, occupied as a bar- 
rack by British troops, took fire by the bursting of some 
cartridges, imprudenilf handled by the soldiers. About 
thirty warehouses and buildings were destroyed, with 
great part of the effects, contairicd in them, some of 
which were donations to the toirn, for relief of the in- 
habitants, suffering under the oppressive Port Bill. 

1780, September ??2d. A fire broke out in a store on 
the Long wharf, about two o'clock P. M. wind at N. E. 
which consumed several adjoining. One of them kept 
by the commissary general had in it provincial stores, of 
considerable value. The tide being up, was an advan- 
tage in preventing the progriess of the fire. 

1787. April 241h, at the close of the day a fire was 
jdiscovered in a malt house in Beach-street, N.E. of Or- 
ange street, the south part of the town. About ore 
hundred buildings were consumed, sixtj' of which were 



96 DESCRIPTION OF BOStON. 

dwelling' houses, some elegant costly edifices. Th6 
Meeting house in H ollis street was among the build- 
ings consumed. Briefs were issued and dispersed 

The several religious societies in the town, collected 
for the sufferers, twenty-six hundred and thirty-five 
pounds, eleven shillings and five-pence, lawful money 

The Marquis de la Fayette is entitled to the thanks 
of this town, for his generous donation of three hundred 
and fifty pounds sterling, paid by order on his agent 
here. 

1794, July 30th. Early oh Wednesday morning, 
Mr. Edward Howe's rope-walk accidentally caught ofi 
fire,which,w4th six other?, were in a very short time con- 
sumed, with large quantities of hemp, tar and cordage. 
The fire flew in all directions, and communicated with 
great rapidity to the houses on the east side of Green's 
lane (now Atkihson-street) and to the streets facing the 
walks, and spreading through the avenues contiguous, it 
continued its progress to the wharves. The wind was 
north, two points east, and so continued till the close of 
the devastation, which was considered as a happy cir- 
cumstance, it then got to the N. E. The nvmber of 
buildings consumed was ninety-six, ibrty-three of which 
tvere dwelling houses. The whole loss given in to the 
5th November, by an hundred and fifty sufferers, a. 
mounted to two hundred and nine thousand eip-ht huti- 
dred sixty-one dollars, and fifty three cents exclusively 



DESCRIPTION OF .BOSTON 97 

©f several large sums not exhibited. The subscriptions 
in the town on this occasion, were numerous and lib- 
eral. 

March 9tb, 1796. Wednesday morning, a fire broke 
out about four o'clock, in a dwelling house, the lower 
end of State-street, occupied by Mr. Sweetser, printer 
of the Boston Courier, newspaper, Mr. Wright, a tailor, 
Mr. Turell, a watchmaker, and a black woman, who is 
peculiarly unfortunate. The house adjoining it was al- 
so burnt. The fire, it is supposed began in the cellar. 

November ISth, 1796; Sunday P. M. the house of 
Mr. John West Folsom, printer, in Union-street caught 
on fire while he and his family were attending public 
worship. There being books and stationary they were 
mostly destroyed,together with other valuable propert}^ 

The house, though not consumed, was greatly dam- 
aged. The houses adjoining, though in great danger, 
were wonderfully preserved. 

February 25th, 1797. Three large manufactories of 
cordage, and several dwelling houses were, on Safurday 
A. M. damaged and destroyed by fire at West Boston. 
The rope-walks belonged to Messrs. Jeffrey and Russell, 
John Wiirthrop, Esq. and Messrs. Tyler and Casweli. 
The total loss by this disaster, it is said, cannot be reck- 
oned at Ifess than 100,000 dollars. It is supposed to have 
caught fire just kindled under a tar kettle, which had 
been left three or four minutes. 

9 



S8 I>ESCRIFTION OF BOSTON. 

March olh, 1797. This morning a dwelling house in 
Beacon-street, opposite the old alms house, occupied by 
Mr. "William Turner, and a stable belonging to the es- 
tate of the late Governor Bowdoin, were destroyed by 
fire. Mr. Turner's family narrowly escaped becoming 
victims to the flames. It was purposely set on fire by a 
negro man Avho had liv^d in the f mily, who on the tri- 
a^. was found guilt}', and afterwards executed. 

Kovember 27th, 1797. On Monday morning, about 
2 o''clock, a fire broke out in a house in Ann-street, oc- 
cupied by Mrs. Broaders, as a rendezvous for sailors..:. 
Some buildings adjoining the house which first caught 
fire, were consumed with it ; one of theni joined the 
draw bridge, which passes over the mill creek, but 
having a brick end, the flames were stopped from pass- 
ing over the creek to the north of it, and catching the 
©Id wooden buildings, which must have fallen a sacrifiCQ 
and carried the fire into Fish-street. Very little could 
be saved out of the buildings burnt. 

February 2, 1798. The Theatre in Federal-street, 
the first play house ever erected in this town, was this 
day destroyed by fire. It was discovered in one of the 
dressing rooms, about 4 o'clock p. m. No exertions us- 
ed could check the violence of the flames, and before 
•7 o'clock, there was nothing left standing but the bare 
brick walls. As it stood alone, no other house adjoin- 
ing, no other was burnt. The property lost must have 
been great to the proprietors. 



niSSCRIPTION 0^ BOSTON. aD 

May 14, 1799. A lire in Xewbury-street, began at 
Mr. Merchel's, farrier, which destroyed eleven dwell- 
ing houses, and a n'lPxiber of ojl;-hou?C5. The loss reck- 
oned at 30,000 dollars. 

February 11, 1803. Mr. Jonathan Balch, block- 
maker's slwp, ne'ar the draw bridge, on Xeweirs wharf^ 
took tire in the night, which in a short ti-ne burnt it to 
• he ground. [Coll. Hist. Soc. 

We have been thus pariicular m noticing the fire ^ 
because the record of those calamities may tend to ex- 
cite a vigilance, Vv'hich may prevent their recurrence, 
and because they have operated great and bcneticial 
change?. The new streets have been made wider and 
more regular, and brick or stone buildings have beeu 
erected on the ruins of those old, inelegant, xxd com- 
bustible fabrics. 



Soil, Water, Vegelable Productions, S,*e. 

From the mincralogical observations of M. Godon.* 
made in the years 1807 and 1808, we make the follow- 
ing extracts. 

" Some alluvial deposits, and the stratum, often light, 
of vegetable earth, excepted, the environs of Boston 
present almost every where the primordial soil to the 
sight. The natural irrigation, which originates froni 

* Mem. Amer. Acad. vol. 3, part T, 



iOO DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

the even disposition of the ground, maintains a constant 
moistness, which renders the land fertile, and fit for sev- 
eral kinds of culture. 

" The alluvial deposits are commonly formed of a 
coarse quartzose sand, often mixed with a proportion of 
clay, sufficient to permit their being niade directly in- 
to bricks. They include almost always a great quanti- 
ty of fragments of rocks, the nature of which indicates 
their origin from the great masses, which form the frame 
of the country. Those alluvial heaps repose sometimes 
on a stratum of blue cla3% [Charlestown] impregnated 
with the oxyds of iron and manganese. 

" The proportion of clay, which forms a part, often 
considerable, of all the alluvial ground, on \vliich rests 
almost all the buildings of the towii of Boston, is a happj'- 
circumstance, which prevents the infiltration of sea wa- 
ter, and which thus permits our obtaining, at a very 
short distance from the harbour, and even from under 
the sea itself, fresh and sweet water. 

'• The v»-aters which flow under the ground, or which 
issue in springs at its surface, are frequently impregnat- 
ed with foreign principles. These are principally car- 
bonic acid, carbonated lime and iron, sulphated magne- 
sia, and sometimes muriated lime and magnesia. 

'• Amphiboloid,* which frequent!}^ passes to felsparoid 

* An agfi;regation most frequently of amphibole and fels- 
par, admitting in its composition, quart?;, cpidote, talc, mi- 
ca, and nirnost always sulphurated iron. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOX 101 

aad sometimes so abruptly, that it is tery easy to get 
them both united in the same specimen. They appear 
in some islands of the harbour, and are directed under 
the enclosure of the totvn of Boston, where they break 
through the mossy ground of the ccmmoa." 

The communication of M. Godon is a very able pa^ 
per, and his exertions did much to increase the taste 
for mineralogy, which now so generally prevails. He 
particularly describes rocks in the vicinity, which are 
now transported to Boston for the construction of ele^ 
gant buildings, both public and private, and which, we 
hope, in time, will entirely supercede the use of bricks. 
He remarks, ^' that a peculiar interest in the study of 
this part of America, arises from the relation which ex- 
ists between its rocks and those, which were in great 
repute among the people of Asia, Greece, and Italy.*' 

The following account of the zmiers of Boston, is tak- 
2n chiefly from the Memoirs of the American Academy, 
frawn up by the late Dr. John Lathrop, and publish 
'Id in 1800. 

'' Although the narrow limits of the ground on which 
Boston is built, do not admit of a river, or even a small 
brook,* the Author of nature ^^ provided an ample- 

* Tli3 wall wliich accommodat«^^e new State-House, 
was opened at the side of Beacoii^Mll, about 35 feet from 
the top of the iaU, and is 9G feet deep. The hill rises 133 
fe ct and 6 inclics above the level of the sea. The well is, 
therefore, 7 icet aiid 6 inches above Uie:l[cvel of the sea..,. 

*9 



102 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

supply of excellent water, which may always be obtain- 
ed at little expence. This supply is either from springs 
which rise to the surface, or from wells, which in some 
parts of the tow^ii are not more thaii fifteen or twenty 
feet deep, although in other parts of the peninsula they 
are sunk to the depth of one hundred or one hundred 
and twenty feet 
'-' The first writer of the history of New-England 

Ey experiments of Dr. Lathrop, it seems that tliG water 
vises and falls regularly with the tides, varying in depth ^ 
about 8 inches. yid. Mem. Amtr. Acad. vol. 3. j? 5G. 

The following strata were ascertained hy the Doctor. 

ft. in, 

1. Mould and yellow earth, 6 

2. Yellow earth with sand, -*------ 16 

3. Yellow sand, with small stones, slate and quartz, 5 

4. Fine grey sand, ---------- 60 

5. Grey sand of a coarser sort, with small stones, - 6 
G. Fine soft j-eliow sand, -------- 40 

T. Grey sand with slate and quartz, 5 

G. Blue clay, with small stones of the same colour, 

and very little ^.ariation, -------63 

n. r.ul urated clay, with large stones of the slate 
kind chiefly ; one with feruginous veins and 
an incrustation of calcarious matter, which ef- 
fcn/esces Vv- ith an acicl, ------- 30 

';0. A mixture of clay, gravel, and water, with 
?!aooth stones, like those found on the sea 
ihorc, and apijear as if rubbed against each oth- 
tr, - - -' -^---20 



^6 



No sr; ring was fuund in any of the strata nntil the work- 
man entered on the last. After digging a foot, or a foot and 
a half, in the last stratum, the bottom became so soft, and 
the water cara'^ in so fast, tliat the workmen were obliged to 
nv'sist. lb. p. 59. 



i 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 103 

tells us, Governor Winthrop and his associates were in- 
vited to leave Charlestown, and come over to Shaw- 
mut, bj a Mr. Blaxton, who informed them he had found 
'• an excellent spring." What spring Mr. Biaxton had 
respect to in his invitation we cannot say ; it is proba- 
ble, however, it was the spring now to be seen [1800] 
on the westerly part of the town, near the bay, which 
divides Boston from Cambridge- 

" In the early records of the town, mention is made 
of the " great spring," v/hich discharged its waters in- 
to what is now called Spring-lane, leading from Corn- 
hill into Devonshire-street. The population of the 
town made it necessary many years ago to cover up the 
spring ; the water of which now pours under ground, 
and supplies many families at a considerable distance 
from the place where it was open when 'eur fathers 
drank thereof, with their children and their cattle.' 
Springs have been found in many parts of the peninsula, 
some of them but a few feet from the surface, which 
afford excellent water, and in great abundance. 

" The provision which the Author of nature has 
been pleased to make to supply the hills on the penin- 
sula with water, and to raise it in seme places, seventy- 
five or eighty feet above the sea, is to be acknowledg- 
ed with gratitude. On the north, as well as on the 
south side of Beacon hill, and on the range of high 
ground connected with it, many springs are found, and 
some of them seem to be inexhaustible. The water is 
of an excellent quality, and from its elevation, might be 



104 DESCRrpnON OF BOSTO]^. 

sent in refreshing streams to the greatest pra-t of the- 
town ; but while this comfort is quite at command, it 
has hitherto been neglected. It is to be hoped those 
hills will be regarded with a kind of rcligiovs respect, 
and that the municipal authority will never suffer their 
venerable heads to be brought low.*' 

The following are some of the experiments made ca 
the waters of Boston, by J. Feron, a French surgeon, 
extracted from a paper in the Memoirs o{ the American' 
Academy. 

" Pump water,'^ he remarks, ^us more- or less charg- 
ed with heterogenous parts, in proportion to its Droxim- 
ity to the waters of th e ocean. That in low situations 
IS less pure than the water in more elevated grounds • 
It generally contains the same principles, except such 
as have a superabundance of calcaneus earth. Amono- 
such as he.examined, the water of Beaccn hill. Charter- 
street, and some in lYew-Boston, appeared most free 
from impurities. The weight was generally from fif. 
teen to forty grains above that of distilled water ; the 
thermometer standing in open air at 32 deg. rose to 40 
and 46 on being immersed ; those which contained the 
most impurities being warmest. These waters have a 
brackish taste to strangers, and the inhabitants them- 
*oIves are sensible of it on drinking the purer element, 
which seems soft and insipid ; they are hard, and do no 
dissolve soap. From various experiments he conclud- 
ed the WL ters of Boston contain a sea salt with a basis 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOX. IO5 

of mineral alkali in small quantity, a greater quantity of 
sea salt, with an earthy basis, a certain quantity of oil, 
perhaps a little of sal catharticus a?nanis. 

" There are besides some which contain farther a 
superabundance of earth, suspended by means of an un- 
due proportion of air." 

It has already been observed that the soil of the pea- 
insula is nearly the same with that of the islands. On 
account of its fitness for the culture of Indian corn, it 
3vas mostly cleared by the natives, and for some year* 
was improved for that purpose by the English settlers. 
Its original growth was probably, oak, elm, and some 
species of the pine.* The trees in the vicinity, are thtti 
described by the classical Wood. 

Trees, both in hills and plains, in plenty be, 

The long-liv'd oak, and mournful cypress tree ; 

Sky-towering pines, and chesnuts coated rough, 

The rosin-dropping fir, for masts in use, 

Ths boatmen seek for oars, light, neat grown spruce ; 

The brittle asb, the ever trembling asps, 

The broad spread elm, Avhose concave harbours wasps j 

The water spungy alder, good for naught, 

Small elders, by the Indian fletchers sought ; 

The knotty maple, palid birch, hawthornes. 

The horn bound tree, that to be cloven, scorns, 

* For an account of vegetable productions in this part of 
the countr3^ the reader is referred to a commmunication of 
the Rev. M. Cutler, Mem. Amer. Acad. vol. 1. And partic- 
ularly to the Fioruia Bostonenisis, by Dr. Bigelow. 



k 

1C6' BFLCBirTIOlS cT BOSTON. 

WLithfrom the tender yi e oft takes his spousCj 
Who twines embracing arms about his boughs. 
Within this /nJi'a/i. orchard, fruits be som?, 
The ruddy cherrj', and the jetty plum ; 
Snake-murthering- haze], with sweet saxaphrage. 
Whose spurns in beer, allays hot fevers rag-e ; 
The dear shumack, with more trees there bo. 
That are both g-ood to use aud rire to sec. 

For the sake of variety, we insert the foriowing", froG^ 
a fragment of a poem of Governor Bradford of Ply- 
mouth. If his account be not so poetic as Wood's, it i^ 
doubtless equally correct. 

All sorts of grain which our own land doth yield. 
Was hither brought, and sown in every iield. 
As wheat and rye, barley, oats, beans and peas^. 
Here all thrive, and they profit from them raise ,. 
All sorts of roots and herbs in gardens grew, 
Parsnips, carrots, turnips, or what jou'il scw^^ 
Onions, melons, cucumbers, radishes, 
Skirets, beets, coleworts, and fair cabbages ; 
Here grows fine rlowers many, and 'moiigst thos?^ 
The fair white lilly, and sweet fragrant rcso, 
Many good wholesome berries here you'll find. 
Fit for man's use, almost of cv''ry kind ; 
Nuts and grapes of several sorts are hero, 
If you will tiike the pains t)icxn to seek fo''. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON, TOT 

Climate, 

^h^'^e cm be no doubt, that t'le cliniale of New-En^ 
land has undergone iofiportant changes since the first set- 
settlement of the country. As the interior has been 
cleared of trees, and the bosom of the earth expand- 
ed to the sun, both Avinter and summer have be- 
come milder. We have less snow,, and the heat 
of summer is not so intense, though of longer dura- 
tion. The empire of frost is gradually retiring north- 
ward. The nature of this work admits not of philosoph- 
ical disquisitions ; but the most aged and intelliqi^ent in- 
habitants, unanimously agree to the fact, that the year 
is more kindly, and upon the whole, warmer than when 
they were young. Meteorological observations were 
not accurately made nor put on record till within a few 
years ; and these do not afford results to justify positive 
conclusions. Those who are fond o^such enquiries will 
derive much satisfaction from the perusal of a paper in 
Norton's Repository and Review, which may be found 
in the public libraries. Other authorities are referred 
to in the note.* 

Conformably, however, to our original plan of makin|^ 
interesting extracts from our old writers, for the bene- 
fit of ordinary readers, we insert the following from 

* Neiil, vol 2, p. 193 ; Guthrie, p. 368 ; Europ. Set. ia 
Amer. vol. 2, p. 162 , Wood's N. E. Pros, p. 4, and p. 7, note ; 
Pavy, vol. 2, p. 348 ; Hist. ColL 



108 BESCTvIPTION OF BOSTON. 

HubbarJ, ^vlio described with elegance, what he co- 
served with exact attention. 

" The chmate of Kew-England lyes in the middle, 
between the torrid and frigid zones, the extremes on 
either hand ; and therefore may be supposed to be in 
the most desirable place of a temperate ayfe, for the 
advantage both of delightful and wholesome living, fall- 
ing into the same latitude with Italy and France : some 
provinces in both which countries in former times be- 
ing taken for the most desirable in the whole universe ; 
yet by reason of some occult and secret accident, is this 
country known by long experience to partake a little 
too much of the two extremes of heat and cold, proper 
to the two opposite regions on either hand, in those 
seasons of the yeare when those qualities rise to be 
most prevailing. The he ate in the summer, and cold 
in the winter, seldome are observed to continue in the 
same degree, but are very subject to suddaine altera- 
tions, from whence many epidemicall distempers are 
known to proceed oft times. The frost here useth to 
visit the inhabitants so early in the winter, and ordinari- 
ly tarrys so long before it takes its leave in the spring, 
that the difficulty of subsistence is much increased there- 
by ; for it commonly begins to take possession of the 
earth about the middle of November, forbidding the 
husbandman to meddle therewith any more, till the mid- 
dle or end of March not being willing till that time to 
resign up its possession, or the hold it hath taken nere 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 105 

two feet below the surface of the earth. {Since the 
planting of the country found more moderate) The 
purity of the aire makes amends for the sharpness of the 
cold. The seven months of the summer's increase, are 
annually devoured by the five leane and barren ones of 
the winter following, as was showed to Pharoah in his 
dream; so as if some stranger should chance to bee there 
in the end of every winter, he^e might be ready to think 
that all the cattle here were the issue of Pharoah's lean 
kine. The cattle at that time, much resembling the 
wilde dear in Greenland, when the bridegroom of the 
earth begins to smile upon them, after the long, cold, and 
dark nights of winter begins to take his leave, The un- 
searchable providence of Almighty God is the more to 
bee admired, that doth st) richly clothe the earth of th6 
Country in so sliort a space, that hath bin so long dis- 
mantled of all the former ornaments and glory, which 
every summer is wont to clothe her withall. Sometimes 
it be the middle of May before the fruit trees be blos- 
somed out, or the fallowed ground of the fields be willing 
to receive its portion of the seed to be sown or planted ; 
yet within three months after, the harvest of English 
grain will be fit for the hahd of the reaper^ and the fruit 
trees ready for the hand of the gatherer.''^ 

Winthrop records, that in 1630, December 26th, 
*'The rivers are frozen up, and they at Charlestown 
could not come to the sermon at Boston, till the after- 
noon at high water." This is now an uncommon ccciur- 
rence. 10 



110 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

- We may venture to state, as a physical fact,* that the 
climate of this country differs from that of Europe by 
about 10 degrees ; that is, that a place in America lying 
under the 40th degree of latitude, is as cold and moist 
as a place in Europe under the 50th. 

But the best and most satisfactory mode of comparing 
climates, is by the flowering of plants, shrubs and trees. 
J. Lowell, Esq. published the following comparative ta. 
ble, in the Agricultural Repository of 1816. 

Gooseberiy in blossom, England, Norfolk, April 13th. J 

f^- do America, Bosten, May 5th, f 

>. , • . , ^^. Sweden, at Upsal, June 7th. 

Gooseberry m leaf. England, March 11th. 

. ,^'': . ^V°* America, April 20fh. 

Apple tree m blossom, Sweden, June 2d. 

^^' ^°* England, April 25*th . 

ti '^°;.v T^ ,,*^°* America, Boston, May 20th. ' 

EiJy of the \ alley, Sweden, May 30th. 

^ , .. do. America, Boston, May 16th'. 

Bed Currants, England, April 2d. 

. . ^°- America, Boston, May 9th'. 

•^^pricot, England, April ll&lfe 

Boston, May 1st. 

^^f^^ England, April! 6th» 

_, ^\ Berlin, May 12th. 

'^^/^"* England, April 6th. 

^^^' Boston, May 8th. 

^*l^^^' England, April 18th. 

^°' Boston, May 9th. 

" This comparison could be extended to a great num- 
ber of other plants, but sufficient has been shewn to 
prove that the climate, or season of Great Britain is from 

* Le Niveau dll'EHn p. et de I'Ameriq. Septen. Philad. 

J. / 174. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. Hi 

3& to 18 days earlier than our own ; the greatest differ- 
ence being found in the earliest part of the seaso^n, and 
constantly diminishes till we get to the flowering of do- 
v3r, which blossoms on or about the same time, in both 
countries. After this period, we rather advance upon 
them, and our hay-making and harvesting are rather 
earlier than theirs." 

The longest day in Boston is 1 5 hours and 6 minutes 
—the shortest, 8 hours and 5i minutes ; making a diflfer- 
ence of 6 hours 12 minute's. In June on the longest 
day, the sun rises at 27 mijautes past four ; in Decern 
feer, on the shortest day, 33 minutes after seven, 

Wat^ds, 

In the year 1735, the town vv^as divided into twelve 
wards. A committee chosen for the purpose, in 1805, 

established the following boundaries. 

No. 1. 

From the northerly side of the east end of Charles 
river bridge, the north side of Prince-street, to North- 
street ; the west side of North-street, to low water 
mark at Winnissimmit ferry, thence westerly and south- 
erly, to the low water mark at the north side of Charles 
river bridge. 

No. -2. 
From Winnissimmit ferry, east side of North-steeet, 



lia DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON.. 

and part of Middle-street to Proctor lane, north side of 
Proctor lane to the Town's slip, thence to low water 
mark, turnings northerly and westerly by the low water 
mark to Winnissimmit ferry. 

No. 3. 

From the south side of the east en^ of Charles river 
bridge, the south side of Prince-slreet to Middle-street, 
west side of Middle-street to Proctor lane, south side of 
Proctor lane, to the Town's slip, thence to low water, 
and southerly by low water mark, to a line in the direc- 
tion of the Mill creek ; said creek and a line continued 
westerly, in the sam3 direction to the causeway, being 
the southern boundary. 

No. 4, 

From the south side of the Mill cneek, the east side 
of Hanover-street to Concert hall, the north side of 
Court-street, including the north side of Pemberton hill, 
th^ north side of State-street, and the Long Wharf, 
thence northerly including Brimmer's T, to the Mill 
creek. 

No. 5. 

From the Mill creek, the west side of Hanover-strest 
^0 Southack- court, the north side of Southack-court to 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 113 

Bulfmch-street ; the east side of Bulfinch-street to Bow- 
doin-square ; and Cambridge-street to Lynde-street ; 
the east side of Lynde and Leverett streets, to the 
seway ; and that part of the mill pond, south of a line 
in the direction of the Mill creek to the causeway. 

No. 6. 

From the causeway, the west side of Leverett-street 
of Lynde and Hancock streets to Myrtle-street, the 
north side of Myrtle-street to south Russell-street ; the 
east side of South Russell-street to May-street ; the 
north side of May-street to the water, thence northerly 
and easterly following the low water mark to the cause- 
way. 

No. 7. 

From the west end of May -street, the south side of 
May-street to South Ru sscU-street ; the west side of 
south Russell-street to Myrtle-street ; the south side 
of Myrtle-street to Har cock-street ; the east side of 
Hancock-str eet to Cambridge-street ; the south side of 
Cambridge-street through Bowdoin-square to Bulfinch- 
treet ; the west side of Bulfinch-street to Southack- 
court ; the south side of Southack-court to Tremont- 
street ; the west side of Tremont-street to Park .street 
and Beacon-street ; the north side of Beacon-street to 
10* 



114 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

the water, thence northerly by low water mark to the 
west end of May-street 

No. 8. 

From the Long wharf, the south side of State and 
Count-streets, to Treihont-streot ; the east side ofTre- 
mont-street to Broomfield-lane ; the north side ofBroom- 
field-lane to Marlborough-street ; the west side of Marl- 
borough-street to Milk-street; the north side of Milk- 
street to the water, thence by low water mark to Lon^ 
wharf. 

No. 9. 

From low water mark, the south side of Milk-street 
to Federal street ; the east side of Federal-street to 
High-street ; the south side of part of High-street to 
Summer-street ; the north side of the east end of Sum- 
mer-street to low water mark, thence by low water 
mark to the iiae of Milk-street. 

No. 10. 

From Common-street the south side of Broomfield- 
lane to Marlborough-street ; the east side of Marlbor- 
ough-street to Milk-street ; tlieeouth side of Milk-street 
to Fcd3ral-sireet ; the west side of Federal-street to 
High-street ; the north side of Fligh-street, ' Pond and 
West streets, to Common-street ; the east side of Com- 
mon-street to Erccmticld-lano 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 115 

No. 11, 

From low water mark at the end of Summer-street, 
the south sides of Pond and West-streets to Common- 
street ; the east side of Common-street to Pleasant- 
street ; the south and the east side of Pleasant-street to 
Elliot-street ; the north side of Elliot-street to Orange 
street ; the west side of Orange-street to Beach-street ; . 
the north side of Beech-street to Front-street and the 
water ; thence along the the low w«(er to to the line 
of Summer- street 

No. 12. 

All the south side of Elliot to Orange-street ; easiside 
of Orange -street to Beach street ; the south side of 
Beach-street to Front-street and Ihe wa.er, to the south- 
ern limits of the town ; also to include South Boston. 



Hills, 



The three hills which claim notice, are Gopps', Fort, 
and Beacon. 

Copp's hill is situated directly opposite Charlestownj 
and commands a good view of that town, also of chelsea, 
and part of the harhour. Near the summit is what is 
called the -North Burying-place. From this liiR the 



lia DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

British troops in the year 1775 at the memorable battle 
of Bunker hill, cannonaded the town of Charlestovvn and 
caused its destruction. This hill is particularly noticed 
in page 67. 

For^ /w//is situated at the eastern extremity of the 
town directly opposite the harbour. It was first called 
Corn-hill, and received the name it now bears, probably 
from a fortress constructed on the top of it, which was 
begun 24th May, 1632 (the people from Charlestown, 
Roxbury, aud Dorchester, worked on it by rotation.) 

The hill is made famous by its having been a tempora^ 
ry asylum for Sir Edmund Andros, he haying repaired to 
the fort in the Boston revolution of 1689, where he and 
his accomplices were made prisoners by the inhabitants, 
for tyranny and oppression. The vicinit}'- of this hill to the 
harbour, makes it a very suitable situation of defence a- 
gainst invasion by water. The old foit has been many 
years demolished, nor was any other erected on it lilt' 
the American war. 

Some years since these temporary works were razed, 
and the summit of the hill levelled and formed into a 
circular walk, of about 2250 yards in circumference 
lined with double rows of poplars. This eminence aff- 
ords a fine view of Fort Independence, and of the islands 
and harbour in that direction ; but the surrounding pros^ 
pect is greatly obstructed hy buildings. The brick gun 
house is improperly erected in the direct fine of fire 
from the hill to the channel, and of course would be de- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOX, 11? 

moUshed by the shot which would annoy the enemy. 
The centre of the circle would be a beautiful spot for 
an observatory. 

Beacon hill is the second of a range of three hills 
which riins from the head of Hanover street west to the 
water. This hill is the highest within the peninsula, 
and is situated on the western side of the Common. 
It aflfords an extensive prospect of the harbour, a consid- 
erable distance into the bay, and of the surrounding ad- 
jacent country. On the top of this hill was fixed a bea- 
con, whence the hill has its name ; the design of it was 
to alarm the country in case of invasion, by setting fire 
to a barrel of tar fixed on the top of it. The beacon 
was blown down by the violence of the wind in November 
1789. On the same spot was erected in the year follow- 
ing, a plain column of the Dorick order, raised on it« 
proper pedestal, substantially built of brick and stone. 
On each square of the column were inscriptions com^- 
memorative of the leading events of the American Rev- 
olution, as well as an ornament to the hill, and a useful 
land mark. It was incrusted with a cement, and had a 
large eagle of wood gilt, at the top, supporting the Am- 
erican arms. The height including the eagle, was sixty 
feet -, the diameter of the column was four feet ; the pe- 
destal, eight feet The base was encompassed with 
rails, on the front of which were benches for the accoui- 
mod^tion of those who ascended the hill. 



118 DESCRIPTION OP BOF^TON*. <» 

The above description of the hills is chiefly from 
Peinberton. 

The descendants of the first seliJers regarded these 
hills with a kind of religious veneration, and Boston is 
not less distinguished for her three hills, than Rome for 
her seven. Beacon hill however, zvhich like an overtop- 
ping to7ver^ kept watch toforsee the approach of danger, is 
now levelled to its base. The form of the hill resembled 
a sugar loaf Its height was about 138 feet above the 
level of the sea. 

ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE MOPT^MENT WAS THE FOLLOWIKG 
INSCRIPTIOK : 

To commemorate the train of events which led to the 
American Revolution, and finally secured Liberty and 
Independence to tlie United States. This column is erect- 
ed by the voluntary contributrons of the citizens of Boston, 

MDCCXC. 
ON THE WEST SIDE WAS INSCRIBED : 

Stamp Act passed, 1765. Repealed, . . . 1766 
Boaid of Customs established, .... 1767 
British troops fired on the inhabitants of Boston, 

March, 5 , 1770 

Tea Act passerl, 1773, Tea destroyed in Boston,Dec. 16. 
Port of Boston shut and guarded, . . June 1,1774 
General Congress at PLiladelphia, * . . Sept. 5. 
Battle at Lexington, .... April 19, 1775- 
Battle at Bunker Hill June 17. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 



119 



Boston evacuated, .... .March 17, 1776^ 
Jndependence declared by Congress, Hancock 

President, July 4. 

ON THE ^'ORTH SIDE : 

Capture of Hessians at Trenton, . . Dec. 26, 1776» 

Capture of Hessians at Bennington, . Aug-, 16, 1777," 

Capture of British army at Saratoga. , Oct, 17. 

Alliance with France, .... Feb. 6 1778. 

Wa shington took command of the army . July 2. 

Confederation of the United States formed, . July 9. 

Constitution of Massachusetts formed, > 

_, > 1780. 

BoDWoiiv President of Convention, j 

Capture of British army at York, , . Oct. 19, 1701- 

Preliminaries of Peace, , . . . Nov. 30, 1782. 

Definitive treaty of Peace, . . . . Sept. 10, 1783. 

Federal Constitution formed, . . . Sept, 17, 1787. 

And ratified by the United States, . , 1787 to 1790 

New Congress assembled at New York, . April 6, 1790, 

WASHrNGTON inaugurated President, . . April 30 

Public Debt funded, .... Aug. 4, 1790* 

on the east side : 

Americans ! 
while from this eminence, scenes of luxuriant fertility, of 
flourishing commerce, and the abodes of social happiness 
meet your view, forget not those, who by their exertion have 
secured to you these blessings. 



ISO DESCRIPTION OP BOsTO?f. 

Bridges. 

So early as 1739. John Stanford petitioned for leara 
to build a bridge from Boston to Cambridge..." From 
the west part of the town to Col. Phipps' farm." His 
petition was granted, bnt for some reasons or other, the 
design was abandoned, 

A bridge from Boston to Charlestown was much need=- 
©d. The river was frequently obstructed by ice, so as to 
prevent the passage of ferry boats. 

Charles river bridge was constructed near the declivity 
of Copps' hill The first pier was laid the 14th 
June, 1785, and in one year, viz. 191h June, ]7oG, 
it was opened with great parade. The proprietors, 
with a large number invited by them, proceeded 
from the Town house in Boston, over the bridge io 
Breed's hill, where an elegcnt entertainment was pro- 
vided on the spot, which the same month, eleven years 
before, was drenched inblcood. 

The bridge is one thousand five hundred and three 
feet long, forty-two feet broad, and stands on seventy-' 
five piers. Six feet in width is railed in on each side 
for foot passengers. It has a gradual rise from each end 
so as to be two feet higher in the middle than the ex- 
tremities. The tvorkmanship was executed under the 
directions of Messrs. Sewall and Cox, two ingenious 
American artists, and it is s' .1, cost the subscribers fif- 
teen thousand pounds L. M. The}- were incorporated 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 121 

and are compensated by a toil, granted them at first for 
forty years, and since extended to sixty years ; at the ex- 
piration of which, it is to revert to the commonwealth 
of Massachusetts, and be applied to their use. Twenty 
years were added to the original grant of forty, in consid- 
eration of another bridge, the general court had granted 
liberty to be erected at West Boston, which lessens the 
toll of Charlestown bridge. The river over which this 
bridge is built is broader and deeper than the Thames at 
London or Westminster. 

West Boston bridge is a conveyance from the late Pest 
house point, over a part of Charles river, to the opposite 
shore in Cambridge. 

A number of gentlemen were incorporated for the 
purpose of erecting this bridge, September 27th, 1793. 
The causeway to West Boston bridge was begun Ju- 
ly 15th, 1792, and suspended after the 26th of Decem- 
ber, till the 20th of March 1793, -vhen the work was 
resumed. The wood work of the bridge was begun the 
8th of April, 1793, and the bridge and causeway opened 
for passengers the 23d of November following, being 
seven months and an half from laying the iirst pier. The 
sides of the causeway are stoned, capstand, and railed ; 
on ea-ih side of which is a canal about thirty feet wide. 

The bridge stands on 180 piers, is . . 3483 (e^i long. 
Bridge over the gore, 14 do . . . 275 do 
Abutment, Boston side, . . . : 87 1-2 
Causeway, .... . 3344 

11 



4 

122 » DESCRIPTION OFBOSTON. 

"Distance from end of the causeway to Cam- 
briclg-c Meeting-house, .... 7810 
Width of the bridge, . . . , . 40 
Bailed on each si(Je for foot passengers. 

To Ihe proprietors, a toll is granted for seventy 
rears. 

The bridge and causeway are estimated to cost about 
urenty-three thousand pounds L. M. 

The distance from the State house, over this bridge 
10 Cambridge Meeting-house, is three miles, one quarter, 
and sixty-six rods. 

The principal undertaker for building the bridge, was 
Mr. Whiting, who has well executed it and with great 
despatch. 

In the summer of 1805, an elegant bridge was con- 
^tuctcd to unite the south part of the town with South 
Boston. Its length is I G28 {eot; its breadth, 42 feet. 
It is called South Boston bridge. 

Cabled or Cragie's bridge^ was opened August 28th, 
1309. It runs from Barton's point in Boston, to Lech- 
mcrc's point in Cambridge. lis length is 2740 feet ; its 
width. 40 {eet. This bridge on the Cambridge side, i» 
united to Charlestown by Prison point bridge. It is 
1831 feet long, and 35 feet broad, having but one side 
lailsd lor foot passengers. 

All these bridges are v.'ell enlightened by lamps when 
the evenings are dark;, and the lights, placed at regular 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. «23 

distances, /have, a Very splendid and romantic appear . 
anc<;. 

There are only two other bridg-c* in the town. They 
are of inconsiderable note. Some timbers are laid over 
the creek, covered with plank and tastened, in Ann-street 
and Middle-street. That in Ann-street, retains the name 
of Draw bridge^ as it was first constructed to draw up,, 
to admit vessels with masts passing it. The other in 
Middle-street, had the name of Mill bridge from its con- 
tiguity to a grist mill. It was taken up in 1793, and a 
stone arch turned over the creek, at the place where 
the bridge was laid. The pavement is continued over 
the arch, and connects the street on each side the creek 
The width from one side the creek to the other, is 
about twenty (eet. 

A Swing bridge was the conveyance over the Town 
dock, which within a few years has been filled up, and 
the bridge removed. The distance from one side the 
dock to the other, where the bridge stood, was so nar- 
row, that an inhabitant, when pursued by a press gang, 
leaped across it. The place w^here the dock Vtas, is 
contiguous to the Market, and now form^ a part of Mar 
ket square. 



Police — Ancient, 
The government of the town was at first administered 



124 DESCillT-T'p^' ^^ BOSTOIvr. 

by the Governor and assistants, .fe ^^^ town reccords 
commence in 1634, it is difficult to ascertain the exact 
period, v/hea a distinct municipal government was estab- 
lished. The first vote on this subject is thus recorded : 
Moneth 8th, day 6th, '34. Alt a general meeting upon 
publique notice, it was ordered and agreed as follows. 
Imprimis — -Richard Bellingham, Esquire, and J. Cogan, 
merchant, were chosen in the place of Giles Firman, de- 
ceased, and Robert Hardinge, now in Virginia, to make 
up the number to manage the affairs of the iown.''^ This 
number was probably twelve^ and the election was doubt- 
less made semiannually, altho' no other is recorded till 
'36 -, it runs thus : — " The 14th of the 1st moneth, (cal- 
lad March,) 1636 — ^Att a general meeting upon private 
warning. 

••'Att this meeting it was agreed that Mr. Thomas 
Oliver, Thos. Leveritt, Mr, William Hutchinson, Will- 
iam Colborne, John Coggeshall John Sampford, Richard 
Tuttle, Willian:! Aspinall, William Brenton, William Bal- 
ston, Jacob Ellyott, and James Penne, shall from this 
daye oi^ersee^ looke unto^ and sett order for all the allot' 
■nienis within us, and for all comers in unions^ as also for 
all other the occasions and businesses of this iozvne^excepting 
matters of election to the General Courie ; and soe from 
rime to time to bee agreed upon, and ordered by them 
or the greater part of them for those nest sixe monthes."^^ 
At the expiration of this term a new election took place 
with some changes of persons, and the n^imber was re* 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 125 

duced to ten. At the next meeting eleven were elected 
for the same period. 

Before the year 1637 the overseers served without 
compensation, (as the fashion now is) and defrayed inci- 
dental expences. In that year it was agreed, ''that 
theire charges att theire meetings be borne by the towne 
ingenerall," In 1637 the^number cf overseers were 

seven. 

At this time the Governor and other State oil^cer^ 
were frequently chosen to oversee the affairs of the 
town, and it is curious to observe, how careful the recor- 
der was to annex the appropriate titles. For instance, 
Mr. Thos. Oliver, Thomas Leveritt, Mr, John Winthrop. 
Esquire, Governor, Ensigne Scotte, Brother Jacob Elli- 
ott, kc. 

24,1 mo. 1651.— Directions for the Selectmen of 
Boston commended unto them from the town. 

Having chosen you for orderinge of towne aflaires.this 
year ensuing,though we doubt not to confide in your wi:>- 
dome, fidelitye, and care, in seeking and promoting the 
good andwelfaire of the towne, yet according to couvl 
wee commend unto you the instructions following. 

First, in gene rail we require your special care that the 
good and wholesome orders allready made, which you 
have the records of, be observed and duly executed, and 
what other acts and orders, shall be established for fu- 
ture benefitt of the towne, that you alisoe cause them 

*11 



126 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

to be published and put in execution, and further accor* 
ding to power given, and severall lawes of the county to 
be found in the book of printed lawes, under these titles. 
Townships, Ecclesiastick, Freemen, High-ways, small 
Causes, Indians, Corn-fields, Masters and Servants, Pipe 
Staves, Swyne, Weights, Measures, and any other order 
in force which concerne your place to regulate your- 
selves and carry on your worke, and where you finde de- 
fect of power to bring your desires to a good issue for 
well ordering the towne, you may draw some good or- 
ders in forme to be aproved by the towne, and so to be 
presented to the Generall Courf, and our Deputyes for 
consideration. 

Sec ondly, there are some particulars necessary to be 
considered of and ordered by you — as first about accept- 
ing and entertaining new inhabitants into the towne and 
herein. 

First, it is required that you make some efiectuall or- 
ders, with such penalty as you have powers to impose, 
that none transplant themselves from other parts of the 
country to inhabitt here without giving you notice 
thereof. 

Secondly, to enquire of such as so present themselves 
for inhabitants, what calling or employment they will un- 
dertake, and if they will live under other men's roofs as 
inmates, then to deal with them, according to the order 
of such peFdons^ comprehended, under the title of 
Towneshipe«. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 127 

Thirdly, if such persons were poore and impotent, 
such as had rehefe in the district whence they came, 
hen to deale with them according to the ordering of set- 
tling poore people under that title of poore, 

These instructions were continued in force by an an- 
nual vote of the people for many years. 

Overseers were chosen for six months until the year 
1645, when it is recorded — " for these six months next 
ensuing and till nezv be chosen.'''' The next meeting was 
29th of the 10th month in the same year, when Mr. John 
Winthrop, Esq. Deputy Governors [and others] were 
chosen for this year the Selectmen This is the first time 
they are so called in the records ; and it is evident thaf 
the people delegated considerable of their power to this 
body. The Selectmen met on the same day and chose 
James Penn, one of their number, both Recorder a^d 
Treasurer. 

The change effected in 1645, is worthy of notice rthe 
Selectmen for that year were of the highest standings 
Gov, Winthrop being first on the Hst. The integrity of 
their characters and the wisdom pf their measures indu- 
ced the people to continue them in office for one year. 

The first Watch was appointed in February 1635, by 
the town, " to be taken up and gone rpun4 <vith for the 
summer time, from sunsett, an hour after the beating of 
the drumbe, upon penaltie for every onie wafltjng thiSEe- 
in, !2d^ for every night." In 1663, in iiey of ^ w§i|tQj?, 



128 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

a bellman was provided to go about from 10, till 5 
o'clock in the morning. 

Assessors were at first chosen only for some specific 
purpose, and the constable was often one of the num- 
ber. The selectmen assessed the taxes up to 1712 

In 1707, " the question being put, whether assessors 
shall be chosen distinct from the selectmen, it was vot- 
ed in the negative." A like vote was past on the same 
question the year after. 

In 1708, voted...." that the towne will chuse OTJfir- 
icers of the poor^ distinct from the selectmen." 

The constables were in those times chosen by the in, 
habitants. In 1690, their number was eight. Civil 
processes were mostly executed by the mar shall. 

Town meetings were held usually " upon publique 
notice," and sometimes " upon warning from house to 
house." No great time was necessary to give notice 
when the inhabitants were few and the settlement com- 
pact. At first, their meetings were necessarily fre- 
quent — often two in a month ; but when they experi- 
enced the advantage of committing their ordinary con-, 
cerns to their selectmen, their principal meetings were 
semi-annual. Who presided at these meetings is uncer- 
tain, probably the selectmen. The first mention of a 
moderator^ is in 1660, when they chose William Davis. 
This Davis, in 1659, is also named as recorder — the first 
notice of such an officer. Who made the records be- 
fore that time is uncertain. They are in tolerable pre" 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 129 

servation, though the chirography is, in many places, 
diiiicult to be deciphered. Until 1700,the minutes of the 
board of the selectmen and the records were blended f 
since that period they have been kept distinct. 

iThough it is probable it is not certain that public 
meetings were opened with prayer till 1724 : — the rec 
ord of that year, proceeds " after prayer by the Rev. 
Doct. Cotton Mather." This laudable custom has ggh- 
tinued to the present day. 

The mode of warning town meetings by printed tick- 
ets commenced in 1736. 

December 8, 1708, the Selectmen made the following 
proposals to the town, respecting a charter of incorpo- 
ration, viz. 

That the orders and bye-laws of this town^ already 
made, for directing, ordering and managing the pruden- 
tial affairs thereof,have not answered the ends for which 
they were made, and t\\o principal cause thereof is a 
o-eneral defect or neglect in the execution, without 
which the best laws will signifie little, and one great rea- 
son why they are no better executed, is the want 
of a proper head, or town-officer, or oiBcers empow- 
ered for that purpose, the law having put the esecu 
lion of town orders into the hands of the Justices only, 
who are not town, but county officers ; and it cannot be 
expected that they should take the trouble and care, or 
make it so much their business, as a town offices or of- 
gcers particularly appointed or chosen thereunto mus-t 



13# DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

needs do, and indeed, for any body or society of men a^ 
a town is, to be vested with power to make rules and 
bye-laws for their own good regulation, and not have 
power to appoint and chuse the head officer or officer?, 
who shall have power to execute their own orders and 
bye-laws, seems incongruous. And good 'order is not to 
be expected while it remaynes so ; for while a town 
grows more populous, it will stand in need of a more 
strict regulation. 

The Selecimen, do, therefore, propose that this town 
do now chuse a committee of a considerable number, to 
draw up a scheme or draught of a Charier of Incorpora- 
tion, 4rc. and to present the same to the town at their 
annual meeting. 

Accordingly thirty of the most respectable citizens 
were chosen, seventeen of whom were to be a quo- 
rum. 

March 14th, the committee presented a draught to 
the tow^n, which was read in the audience of the meet- 
ing. On the question whether the town will refer the 
consideration of the said scheme to some public meet- 
ing to be warned for the same purpose ? — voted in the 
negative. 

On the question — whether the town do accept of the 
scheme or charter now read, yea or nay ? — voted in the 
negative. 

In June 1784, the question was again brought before 
the inhabitants ; but the impatience of the people to 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 131 

liave the question immediately put, prevented any de- 
bate. After some warm altercation, however, it was 
moved and seconded that the sense of the town be now 
taken, whether it is expedient that any alteration 
should be made in the present form cf the government 
of the town, which being put, it was voted in the nega- 
tive by a great majority. 

Another unsuccessful <ittcmpt was made in 1815, and 
the question is probably put to rest for some years.... 
Upon the expediency of such a change, we forbear mak- 
ing any remarks. The inhabitants are greatly divided 
upon the subject, and their debates have not always beea 
marked with temper and moderation. Those who wish 
for further information may consult the pamphlets and 
newspapers of the day. 

Before we close this article it may be proper to intro- 
duce a lew remarks upon the character and manners of 
the first settlers. It is no uncommon thing for our mod- 
ern witlings to make themselves merry, with what they 
are pleased to call old fashioned notions of their ances- 
tors. It is painful to observe how their foibles and er- 
rors, from which the best men in all ages are not free 
are industriously transmitted to posterity, while their 
great and excellent qualities are frequently overlooked. 
Not that they were faultless, but certainly their "' fail- 
ings lean'd to virtue's side." What are the qualities 
which are generally supposed to entitle men to the 
character of great ? are they not great talents and vir- 



182 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON, 

lues employed in the execution of extraordinary and com- 
mendable designs ? Let the old planters be judged by 
this standard, and their characters, will not suffer by com- 
parison with the founders ofany state. There was nothing 
mean ; — nothing eife minate ; — nothing pusillanimous ; 
— nothing in their composition, which could be viewed 
with indifference or rontempt. Every trait in their char- 
acter was strong and distinguished. Their virtues were 
of a manly and independent cast, resembling those of 
the old Romans in the best days of the republic. To' 
use the words of a great writer, " they would not tread 
on a worm nor sneak to an emperor." 

Perhaps there never was a society of men, equally 
numerous, which peculiar circumstances so completely 
identified. Hence it was that friends and enemies paint- 
ed them in such opposite colours,and gave, as it were,an 
individual portrait of a collective mass. They had suf- 
fered at home for the same cause, and they left it for 
the same purpose. '' They were all of one heart and 
one mind, and aimed at one and the same end." There 
was hardly a shade of difference in their religous, or 
political opinions. None joined them with reluctance ; 
nor were admitted into the company, whose opinions or 
characters were doubtful, or exceptionable to the major- 
ity. In short, they presented a spectacle which the world 
has seldom witnessed — a large and virtuous community 
swaged by the same motives, and controuled by one 
will. Stoughtcn, eloquently says •' God sifted a whole 



DESCniPTION OF BOSTON i>jj^ 

iiaiion, that he inight send choice grain over into this 
wilderness." 

Their municipal and church regulations were cal^ 
culated to assimilate them still more. How faulty so- 
ever some of them may appear to a liberal politician ; 
yet the wisdom and discernment of those, who adopted 
them cannot be denied. They produced the intended 
effect, and bad a commanding and beneficial influence 
upon the manners and morals of their posterity. They 
wielded the. sword of power, to be sure, with a se- 
vere and determined hand ; and justice sometimes must 
have trembled, and questioned the correctness of her 
own decisions. But a timid and irresolute administra- 
tion was not the one for their times. The laws of col- 
onies, remote from the supreme power, to be service- 
able, must be executed with a prompt and exact sever- 
ity. 

Their persecution of the Quakers, their treatment of 
the Anabaptists, Antinomians, and others whom they 
supposed guilty of heresy, cannot be wholly excused 
even if ^ve make great allowance for the a-e in which 
they lived. Their intolerant spirit has occasioned the 
severest animadversions of writers, both at home and 
abroad. Dryden justly observes, 

Of all the tyrannies on human kind. 
The worst is that which persecutes the mind • 
Let us but weigh at what offence we strike ■ 
lis but because we cannot think alike • ' 
In punishing of this, we overthrow 

1 he laws of nations and of nature too. 
12 



134 DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 

Upon toleration in religious matters, an ingenious 
writer of those times, has the following odd remarks. 

" Toleration in things tolerable, exquisitely drawn 
out by the lines of the Scripture, and pencil of the 
spirit, are the sacred tavors of truth, the due latitudes 
of love, the fair compartiments of christian fraternity ; 
but irregular dispensations dealt forth by the facilities 
of men, are the frontiers of error, the redoubts of schism, 
the spiritual irritaments of carnal and spiritual insanity. 
One of the four things my heart hath naturally detest- 
ed, is tolerations of diyerse religions, or of one religion 
in segregant shapes. To authoiize an untruth by a 
toleration of the state, is to build a sconce against the 
walls of heaven, to batter God out of his chair. I would 
willingly hope that no member of the Parliament hath 
skilfully ingratia4;ed himself into the hearts of the house 
that he might watch a time to midwife out some ungra- 
cious toleration. That state that will give liberty of 
conscience in matters of religion, must give liberty of 
conscience and conversation in their moral laws, or else 
the fiddle will be out of tune, and some of the strings 

crack " 

Judge Minot in his history, makes the following ju- 

dicious observations, 

'• Whilst they scrupulously regulated the morals of 
the inhabitants within the colony, and offered it as an 
asylum to the oppressed among mankind, they neglect, 
ednot to prevent the contagion of dissimilar habits and 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 135 

heretical principles from without. A law was made in 
1637, that none should be received to inhabit within 
the jurisdiction, but such as should be allowed by some 
of the magistrates ; and it was fully understood, that 
differing from the religions generally received in the 
country, was as great a disqualification as any political 
opinions whatever. 

" No man could be qualified either to elect or be- 
elected to office, who was not a church u^-cmber, and 
no church could be formed but by a license from a ma- 
gistrate. 

" Nor is it to be wondered, since the spirit of the age- 
seemed to consider some church establishment as nec- 
essary to all governments, that they preferred their 
own to that of their enemies. If it wanted latitude and 
accommodation to extend its blessings immediately to 
many, who, on this view (considering themselves as the 
representative s of mankind) rightfully claimed them, 
the misfortune may be rather attributed to the na- 
ture and operation of things, than to any culpability on 
their part. Their policy was rather to establish a 
christian community of a particular kind, and to pre- 
serve it pure from any foreign principles, especially- 
religious, than to form a great society either for splen- 
dour or power. Their settlement was rather a flight 
to the desart from religious persecution, than emigra' 
lion upon political principles. 



13$ DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON, 

But the spirit and temper of* all governments is beat 
learned from their laws. A Tew are inserted from the 
" Book of General Laws and Liberties^, concerning 
the inhabitants of the Massachusetts," published at Bos- 
ton in Maj'-, 1649, with this repuhlican motto : — Whoso- 
ever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordi- 
nance of God, and they that resist receive to themselves 
damnation." — Rom. xiii. 2. This work is alphabetically 
arranged. 

Upon complaint of the disorders, by the use of the 
games of shuffle board and bowling, in and about hous- 
es of common entertainment, whereby much precious 
time is spent unprofitably, and much waste of wine and 
beer occasioned ; it is ordered &c. that no person shall 
hen':eforth use the games of shuffle board and bovv^ling, 
or any other play in and about such house, under pain 
for e'^ery keeper of such house to forfeit s. 20, and 
every person playing at said games, 5.5, and that if any 
man ccmmit fornication with any single woman, they 
shall be punished either by enjoy tiing marriage^ or fine, 
or corporal punishment, any or ail of them. 

K,especting" '-Heresie error," it is ordered, that if any 
christian within this jurisdiction shall go about to sub- 
vert and destroy the christian faith and religion, by 
broaching* and maintaining any damnable heresies ; as 
denying the immortality of the soule, or resurrection 
ofxthe body, or any sin to be repented of in the regener- 
ate, oranv evil done bv the outward man to be account- 



DESCRIPTION' OF BOSTON. 137 

ed sin, or denying that Christ gave himself a ransom for 
our sins, or shall affirm that we are not justified by his 
death and righteousness, but by the perfection of our 
own works, or shall deny the morality of the fourth 
commandment, or shall openly condemn or oppose the 
baptizing of infants, or shall purposely depart the con- 
gregation at the administration of that ordinance, or shall 
deny the ordinance of magistracy, or their lawful authori- 
ty to makewar, or topunish the outward breaches of the 
first table, or shall endeavour to seduce others to any of 
the errors or heresies above mentioned, every such per- 
son continuing obstinate therein after due mean* of con- 
viction, shall be sentenced to ban'shment. 

Any one denying the Scripture to be the word of God, 
should pay not exceeding £.50, to be severely whipped, 
not exceeding 40 strokes, unless he publickly recant, 
in which case he shall not pay above £.10, or be whipp- 
ed in case he pay not the tine. And if the said oifenMer 
aft^r his recantation, sentence, or execution, shall the 
second time publish and obstinately and pertinaciously 
maintain the said wicked opinion, he shall be banished 
or put to death.) as the court shall judge. 

It is ordered that all and every one of the inhabitants 
of this jurisdiction, that have any books in their custody, 
that go under the names of John Reeves and Lodowick 
Muggleion^ ^who pretend themselves to be the two last 
witnesses,) and shall not bring or send in all such book^ 

to the next magistrate, shall forfeit £\0 aqd the books 

12* 



138 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

shall "be burn^ in the market place at Boston, on the next 
lecture day, by the common executioner. 

" They maintained that all men had liberty to do 
right, but no liberty to do wrong ; and it is too evident 
from their conduct, that they supposed the power of 
judging to be in those who were vested with *^uthority 
— a principle big with all the horrors of persecution. 
The exercise of such authority they condemned in 
the high church party, who had oppresed them in Eng- 
land ; and yet such is the frailty of human nature, Ihey 
held the same principles and practised the same oppres- 
sions, on those who dissented from them."— £eL':. UJe 
Winihrop^ p. 355. 

" Laws are the best index of the spirit of a govern- 
ment : had commerce been their aim, it would have been 
commercial -, but as it was religiouSj they were wholly 
adapted to promoting religion, and that mode of worship 
they preferably esteemed.'" — Pref. to Wood''s JV. E. P. 
p. 3, Bost. ed. 

Idlers. — It is ordered that no person, householder or 
other, shall spend his time unprofitably, under pain of 
such punishment as the county court shall think meet to 
inflict. And the constables of every town are required" 
to use special care to take notice ofofienders of this 
kind, especially of common coasters, unprofitable fowl- 
ers, and tobacco takers, and preseat the same to the next 
mas:istratc. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. f^^ 

"At this court," [1631] says Winthrop," one Phillip 
Ratchf, a servant of Mr. Cradock, being convicted orCj 
tenus, of most foul scandalous invectives a2;aiilst our 
church and government, was censured to be whipped^' 
lose his ears, and banished the plantation, which wSt^ 
presently executed." 

,■ The greatest strictness in the execution of the lavvS 
was most observable during the first ten years after the 
arrival of Winthrop. From that period agraduUl relax- 
ation commenced GcCcisioned by increase of inhabitants, 
and that change of manners, which an extended com- 
merce naturally introduces. This change the sturdy 
old planters greatly regretted. One of them, speaking 
of those times calls it the golden age ; if, however, he.' 
alluded to the descriptions of the poets, he should have' 
given it another denomination, as the classical reader 
will perceive from the following extract. 

This was the golden age of New Englaiid, when ric^' 
was crushed, as well by the civil, a* sacretJ 
swords ; especially oppression and extortion in prices, 
and wages, which is^ injustice done to the publick f 
there were some exemplary punishmei>ts adjudged to 
some offenders* in this kind iri the year 1 6^9,. for sell- 

* See the case of Capt. Keyne, one of the most opulent 
traders and principal men of the towil. The record of his-: 
will contains nearly 200 pages and is a very curious tes- 
tament. A great number of pages aie filled with an elab- 
orate attempt to clear himself from the censure of the 
court and churchy, on axcount of his haying sold at eoforfei- 
taut 'profits. 



140 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

ing above £33 per cent ; but since that time the coBi' 
mon practice of the country hath made double that ad- 
vance no sin ; an evil, which though every one feels 
the burden thereof, yet never knew how to ease them- 
selves the eof, a remarkable instance was that year 
given [1640] in one Edward Palmer, who for asking 
an excessive price for a pair of stocks, which he was 
hired to frame, had the honor to sit an hour in them 
first himself 

There is another decision of the court, which we 
insert, not merely for its pleasantry. It is not the first 
instance, in which folly has been magnified into crime. 

" Captain Stone is sentenced to pay a hundred 
pounds, and prohibited coming within the patent with- 
out the Governour's leave, upon pain of death, for call- 
ifig Mr. Ludlow [one of the magistrates, and of course a 
justice ] a Jnstass.'''' Surely never a poor • punster suf- 
fered so severely for a stale jest — John Dennis himself 
would not have been so cruel. 

The following Judicial sentences also are amusing, 
and exemplify the character of the times. 

" Josias Plastow, for stealing four baskets of corn 
from the Indians, is ordered to retuTi them eight 
baskets ; to be fined j£5, and hereafter to be call- 
ed Josias,) and not Mr. Josias Plastow as he formerly 
used to be. 

Serjeant Perkins ordered to cdHTj /arty turjs to the 
fort for being Jnm^ y>: iK> <*• ''^^ ■ \- 



DESCRIPTIOISI OP BOSTON. 14t 

Captain Lovel adiuomshed to take heed of light car- 
piag'e. 

Catharine, wife of Richard Cornish, wa§ found suspir 
cious of incontinency, aad seriously admonished to take 
heed. 

John Wedgwood, for being 'm ^Ae company of drunk* 
ards^ to be set in the stocks. How would State-street 
b6 incumbered if this law were now in force ! how are 
times changed, and how are we changed with them I 
In those times, even a constable was an officer of con- 
sidera'ile importance — a man having authority, and lit* 
erally a terroi* to evil doei'S. 

It is ordered that John Daw shall be severely wliipt,* 
for enticing an Indian woman to ly with him. Upon 
this occasion it is proposed whether adultery, either 
with English or Indian^ shall not bfe punishied with 
death; At the next* court it was ordered that if any 
man shall have car. cop. with another man's TVife, thej 
both shall be punished with death. 

April, 1632. -Thomas Knower wassetin the Bilboes, 
for ihreatning of the court that if he should be pun- 
ished, he would have it trycd in England^ whether ho 
was lawfully punished or not. 

Robert Coles is fined £10, and enjojmed to stand wf!h 
a -white sheet of paper on his back^ wherein a DRUJ^kAub' 
shall be written in great letters, so long as the court 
thinks meet,— for abusing himself shamefully with 



142 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

drink ; enticing John Shotvveirs wife to inconli- 
nency. 

To the above many others might be added, would 
the limi(s of our work admit. 

For the amusement of the ladies, we give the follow- 
ing extract from the '• Simple Cobler of Agawam,*' 
written by the facetious Mr. Ward of Ipswich, published 
in London without name. The reader will take care to 
provide a Dictionary of hard names. 

" As to women's fashions, I was loath to pester better 
matter with such stuif ; I rather thought it meet to let 
them stand by themselves, like the Quae Genus in the 
grammar, being deficients orredundants net to be brought 
under any rule ; I shall therefore make bold ior this 
once, to borrow a little of their loose tongued liberty, 
and mispend a word or two upon their long-wasted^ but 
short-skirted patience. I honour the woman that can 
honour herself with her attire. A good text ahvays de- 
serves a fair margent ; in a word, wh^itever Christianity 
or civilty will allow, I can aiford with London measure ; 
but when I hear a nugiperous gmtledame inquire what 
dress the Queen is in this week ; what the nudiusturi- 
an fa'^hir.n of the court ; with egge to be in it in all 
haste, whatever it be ; I looit at her as the very giz- 
zard of a trille, the product of a quarter of a cypl er, the 
epitome of nothing, fitter to be kickt, if she were of a 
kickable snlstance, than either 1 oioied or humored. 

" To speak moderately, I truly confess it is beyond 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 143 

the ken of mj understanding to conceive how these 
women should have any true grace, or valuable vir- 
ue, that have so little wit, as to disfigure themselves 
with exotic garbes, as not only dismantle s their native 
lovely lusture, but transclouts them into gant-bar «"eese, 
HI shapen-shotten shell fish, Egyptian hyeroglyphicks : 
it is no marvel they wear drails in the hinder parts of 
their head, having nothing as it seems in the fore part 
but a few squirrel's brains to help them frisk from one 
ill-favoured fashion to another. 

I ran make myself sick at any time, with comparing 
the dazzling splendor wherewith our gentlewomen 
were embellished in some former habits, witii the gut- 
foundered goosdom, wherewith they are now surcing- 
led and debauched. We have about five or six of them 
in our colony. Methinks it should break the hearts of. 
Englishmen to see so many goodl}^ Englishwomen im- 
prisoned in French cages, peering out of their hood holes 
for some men of money to help them with a little wit, 
and no body relieves them. It is no little labour to be 
continually putting up English women, into outlandish 
caskes ; who, if they be not shifted anew once in a {ew 
months, grow too sowre for their husbands. 

'' Most dear and unparalleled ladies, as you have the 
precellency of all the women in the world for beauty 
and feature ; so assume the honor to give, and not take 
law from any in matter of attire," 



144 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

Nearly a century from the foundation of the toux^ 
we find one of the most eminent among the clergy, 
complaining of their departure from the simplicity of 
their ancestors. He says the temptations to the breach 
of the seventh commandment.are but too common ; such 
as immodest apparel, laying out of hair, borders, na- 
ked necks and arms ; or v/hich is more abominable, na- 
ked breasts, and mixed dancings, light behaviour, sinful 
company, keeping with light and vain persons, gaming, 
and abundance of idleness. 

" It is certain," says Douglas, '^ that the first settlers 
did not (as in some of our colonies,] come over indigent 
or criminals ; but as devout religious puritans ; they 
were not servants to the adventurer;?, as in some colo- 
nies. They were pious, honest, welj-meaning people ; 
but too contracted, rigid, and singular in their disci- 
pline and practice of devotion. They would not allow 
of the English St. George's red cross* in the military en- 
signs. Many terms in common life they called profane, 
and did not use them : — for instance, instead of Decem- 
ber 25, they wrote, the 25th of the 10th month ;t instead 

* The cross was left out of the ensign but in one instance, 
and then by the direction of the big-ottcd Endicott* His 
conduct was censured, and the cress restored. 

f'-'go all the early records. It may not be useless to in- 
^vm ss-me readers, that, in (his mode of datnig, March, and 
not Januarys was reckoned the first month. Some of our 
writers, ig-norant of this, have made an error of two months 
in their chronology. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 14S 

of Monday, the 2d day of the week, &;c. Some good 
women would not brew on Saturday, because the ale or 
beer would of course ii^ork upon the Lord's day." 

Neal, who published his history about 1720, thus des- 
cribes their manners at that period. 

"Their customs and manners are much the same with 
the English : their grand festivals are the day of the an- 
nual election of magistrates at Boston, and the com- 
mencement at Cambridge, when business is pretty much 
laid aside, and the people are as cheerful among their 
friends and neighbours, as the English are at Christmas. 

" They have a greater veneration for the evening 
of Saturday, than for that of the Lord's day itself ; so 
that all business is laid aside by sunset or six o'clock on 
Saturday night. The Sabbath itself is kept with great 
strictness ; nobody being to be seen in the streets in 
time of divine service, except the constables, who are 
appointed to search all public houses ; but in the evea- 
ing they allow themselves great liberty and freedom. 

" In the concerns of civil life, as in their dress, tables 
and conversation, they affect to be as much English as 
possible ; there is no fashion in London but in three or 
four months is to be seen in Boston, in short, the 
only difference between an Old and New-Englishman, 
is his religion. 

" A rake that goes hither from Europe, is not only 
out of his element but will find no persons of reputation 
«r character, to keep him company. 

v) 



14a DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON, 

'^ The people, by their being- generally freeholders, 
and by their form of government, have a very fine, bold 
and republican spirit. They are used from their infan- 
cy to the exercise of arms, and certainly if their militia 
were better trained, it would be impossible to find in 
any country, or in any time ancient or modern, an army 
better constituted than that which New-England can 
furnish." 

The magistrates and principal men, not only enforced 
a strict observance of laws and municipal re fulations 
by their authority', but encouraged it by their own exam- 
ple. Perhaps they sometimes took cognizance of mat- 
ters below the dignity of legislation, and appear, some- 
times, to have infiicted punishments, without legal au- 
thority. '■' But as their severity had for its object an 
exemplary ptsrity of morals and. religion, which should 
extend to every person in society, it of course reached 
the more private actions of its members, and included 
all the relationships existing between them. Such was 
the force^of habits and prejudices, and so prone are 
jnankindto place unlimited confidence in their g-overn- 
ment, when unprovoked by the usurpation and abuse of 
power, that the people may be said to have submitted to 
a system of laws by ^vhich the freedom of action was 
abridged, and tc have voluntarily yoked themselves fo 
an ecclesiastical authority, by which the rights of con- 
science, lost for a time, the very principles their emigra- 
tion had avowed. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 141 

" It wouW ill become the descendants of these ad- 
venturous heroes to look back v/ith reproach upon in- 
stitutions from which they are now deriving the most 
transcendant blessings ; but- it would still more ill be- 
come them to shew a distrust of the prevailing* merits of 
their ancestors, by an attempt to cancel defects which 
are incident to all human affairs ; defects too. so exceed- 
ingly overbalanced, upon the whole, by wisdom, perse- 
verance and success. Having their own government se- 
cured by the right of election, all their fears were 
from that of England ; and being of the same sentiments 
with their clergy, they seemed to contemplate no en-, 
croachments upon their religious privileges, but from 
the hierarchy there. 

"• Drinking healths v/as considered as a custom of 
heathenish origin, and ivas laid aside at the governor's 
table, and afterwards abolished by order of court. 1. 
Because it was a thing of no good use ; 2. It was an in« 
ducement to drunkeness, and occasion of quarrelling ami 
bloodshed. 3. it occasioned much waste of time and beer ; 
4. It was very troublesome to the masters and mistresS' 
es of the feasts, who were thereby forced to drink* mor$ 
e ; than they would. Yet it is said, divers even godly 
pcrons were loth to part wich this idle ceremony, 
though they could not tind any arguments to lii.^jntain it. 

'- They had," says Dr. I. Mather, " nothing in mat- 
ters of religion or of church order, but what agreed with 
the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets; and 



^48 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

therefore they had not so much as a ceremony, or holi- 
day besides what the Lord Christ had instituted : so care- 
ful were these men of God, who laid the foundation 
here, to keep exactly the scripture pattern." 

The late Dr. Elliot gives them the following charac- 
ter : — his remarks upon their literature, deserve partic- 
ular attention. 

" The fathers of New England were remarkable for 
fheir piety and moral worth, and also for their active 
virtues. They were men of firmness and resolution, 
ready to endure every suffering, for the sake of civil 
and religious freedom. They had to level fo rests 
where savage beasts, and savage men had roamed for 
ages, and to maliC comfortable dwelling places amidst 
barren deserts. By their sagacity and prudence, their 
uttention to the means of improving their situation, they 
soon enjoyed the blessings of civilized and cultivated 
societ3\ Among the first planters, we find men of 
genius and literary acquirements, who would have been 
conspicuous as statesmen in the courts of Europe, or 
as divines of the church of England. It is no wonder 
that their characters were so highly esteemed by the 
puritans in their own country, or that they shone as 
lights in'the dark places of this American wilderness. 
Cottoa, Hooker and Davenport might well rank with 
the Lightfoots and Owens of the age ; they had equal 
reputation as scholars at the universities. President 
Chauncy, as professor of Greek, or Hebrew, had no 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 140 

superior, and might have had any preferment in the tia' 
tional church, if he had become subservient to the 
views of Archbishop Laud. Norton wrote Latin with 
elegance and purity ; his name was celebrated in various 
nations of Europe. Less is said about Roger Williams 
before he left his native country. He was young, and 
perhaps did not preach with the same fofce as he 
wrote. AH who peruse his works will wonder at the 
vast expansion of his mind, and lament the eccentrici- 
ties of his conduct. 

" The succeeding generation bore a resemblance to 
their fathers in their character, but were not equal to 
them in erudition. The writer of the Magnalia divides 
into three classes, the eminent preachers, who emigrat" 
ed to New England. The first were in the exercise 
of their miniitry when they came over. They wera 
educated either at Oxford or Cambridge. The second 
class comprehends those, whose education was unfinish- 
ed, and had only such advantages to complete it, as they 
could obtain in the plantations. Mr. John Higginson, 
Mr. Sherman and Thomas Thacher were the most fa- 
mous among them. The third consisted of those who 
were ejected from the ministry, after the restoration of 
the monarchy, and establishment of the episcopal 
church. These were pious and good men ; but in their 
lijerary accomplishments they were not superior to 
those who were educated at Harvard College, which 

was the only seminary in North America for many 
13* 



150 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON, 

years. This institution could not vie with the col- 
leges in Europe for endowments ; but during the civil 
wars of England, the universities lost their ablest pro- 
fesssors, and less attention was paid to the means of ma- 
king eminent scholars. AVe may well suppose that po- 
lite literature would fall prostrate with the laws of the 
r^alm. F^w went to the pure fountains of classical 
knowledge, though many Greek and Roman authors 
were read. The works of their theologians, some of 
whom were excellent men, displayed the stores of 
learning without the skill and graces of composition. 
The quaint style and manner, which then prevailed in 
England, was imitated by our American divines. They 
were as much disgusted with the works of the English 
writers, who lived in the reign of Charles or William 
as the most famous authors in Great Britain, in those 
reigns, were disgusted with the writings of the preced- 
ing age. Cotton Mather, the most voluminous Ameri- 
can author, and a mari of immense learning, has very 
little credit with the present generation, because his 
jiarrations are so prolix, and so many strange things oc- 
cur in so strar.ge a style. He was a man of unbounded 
fanc}^, astonishing memory, but of no judgment. With 
his marvellous stories he has, however, collected many 
facts. Every writer of the affairs of Massachusetts is 
much indebted to him for the use of his materials." 
That they of the third generation were better ac- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. ISl 

quainted with theology, than natural philosophy, will 
appear from the following' extract from the Magnalia. 

" It hath been seen," says C. Mather, " that thunders 
oftener fall upon houses of God, than upon any other 
houses. Our meeting-houses and our minister's houses 
have had a singular share in the strokes of thunders." 
And in a sermon preached 1694, entitled, Brontolo- 
gia Sacra, this sapient reason is assigned for it : — 
'* Whatever the witch-advocates may make of it, it is a 
scriptural and a rational assertion, that in the thunder 
there is oftentimes by the permission of God, the agen- 
cy of the Devil. The Devil is the prince of the air, and 
Daemons have a peculiar spite at houses that are set 
apart for the peculiar service of God." 

From the preceding extracts and observations the 
impartial reader will be assisted in forming a correct o- 
pinion of the character of our forefathers. The ad 
miration of friends and the malignity of foes, (as alrea- 
dy observed) have greatly misrepresented them. We 
have quoted at some length Avriters of opposite princi- 
ples and feelings : — let the reader judge for himself; 
^nd he will find that their virtues were all their own ; 
that their faults and follies are to be ascribed to the age 
in which they lived. Their indignation against vice 
was vehement, and their spirit had much of what Dry- 
den calls the '• Commonwealth genius. Their leaders 
possessed in a high degree that education, which Mil- 
ton, in his admirable tractate: calls complete and ^ener- 



162 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

ous, that wiiich fits a man to perform justly, skilfully and 
magnanimously, all the office?, both private and public, 
of peace and of war. "The brilliancy of their virtues 
was not the reflection from a polished and gilded sur- 
face ; they shone in their own unborrowed light, 
which was strong and luminous to the centre." 

That unconquerable love of civil and religious liber- 
ty, which actuated the old planters, and has been trans- 
mitted unimpaired to their descendants ;— their correct 
notions of the rights of men, and the prerogatives of 
princes ; -the dangers they underwent, and the difficul- 
ties they surmounted to secure those blessings in a drea- 
ry wilderness ; and above all, the spirit with which 
they asserted their rights, when assailed by arbitrary 
power, and the success which attended their efforts, 
will be the praise and admiration of succeeding genera- 
tions. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 153 

The J]/[unicipal Government 
Is at present admiaistered by the following officers^ 

Nine Selectmen^ who meet at their chamber in Fan- 
ueil Hall, every Wednesday afternoon, for transacting 
the prudential affairs of the town ; and on the last 
Monday in each month, for the purpose of examining 
and allowing accounts against the town. 

Town Clerk. Salary 1000 dollars per annum. 

Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes. Salary 2000 
dollars. 

Twelve Overseers of the Poor, who hav€ the care of 
the Alms house. 

School Committee ; — the Selectmen and eleven oth- 
ers. 

Superiniendant of Police. Salary 1000 dollars, and 
assistant 

Three Assessors of Taxes. Salary Bl 6 dollars each. 

Committee of Finance : — consisting of the Selectmen, 
Overseers of the poor, and Board of Health. 

Twenty-four Firewards and a Secretary. 

Fifteen Constables., appointed by the Selectmen for 
one year. 

Two Assay Masters. 

Clerk and Inspector of the Market. 

Superintetidant of Bury'mg-grounds^ together with 
many others common to other towns, under certain 
statutes of ihe Commonwealth. 



i54 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

The Board of Health consists ot twelve, one from 
each ward, besides a President and Secretary. This 
Board was instituted by the act of the Legislature, 1799. 

"They have power to examine into all causes of Sick- 
ness, Nuisances and sources of filth that may be injuri- 
ous to the health of the inhabitants of the town of Bos- 
ton, which do or may exist within the limits of the 
town of Boston, or any island, or in any ve'jsel within the 
harbor of Boston, or within the limits thereof, and the 
same to destroy, remove or prevent, as the case may re- 
quire ; and, whenever said Board shall think it ne- 
cessary for the preservation of the lives or health of the 
inhabitants of Bostoii, to enter forcibly any building or 
vessel, having been refused such entr}^ by the owner 
or occupier thereof, within the limits of said town of 
Boston, or the harbour thereof, for the purpose of exam- 
ining into, destroyiiig, removing or preventing any nuis- 
ance, source of filth, or cause of sicknes.s aforesaii. 
which said Board have reason to believe it contained 
in such building or vessel — any member of said Board, 
by order of said Board, ma/ apply to any Justice of the 
Peace, within and for the county of Suffolk, and on oath 
complain and state, en behalf of said Board, the facts 
as far as said Board have reason to believe the same re- 
lative to such nuisance, source of filth or cause of sick- 
ness aforesaid — and such Jiisticf' shall thereupon issue 
his warrant, directed to the Sheriff of the County of Suf- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOPTON. 15 



oo 



folk, or either of his Deputies, or any Constable of the 
town of Boston, therein requiring- them or either of 
them, taking with them sufficient aid and assistance, and 
also in company with said Board of Health, or some two 
members of the same, between the hours of sunrise and 
sunset, to repair to the place where such nuisance, 
source of filth or cause of sickness complained of as 
existing as aforesaid ; and there if found, the same to 
destroy, remove or prevent, under the directions and 
agreealle to the order of said' Board of Health, or sue? 3 
numbers of the same, as may attend to and accompany 
sur-h officer for such purpose ; Provided ho-wever, that 
no Sheriff or Deputy Sheriif shall execute any civil pro^ 
cess, either by arre=5ting the body or attaching* the goods 
and chattels of any person or persons under any color 
of entry made for the purposes aforesaid, unless such 
service could by law have been made without such en* 
try : and all services so, made under color of such entry, 
shall be utterly void, and the officer making such service 
shall be considered as a trespasser to all intents a6 m- 
Ho. And in all cases where such nuisanx:e, source of 
filth, or cause of sickness shall be removed, destroyed of 
prevented in manner aforesaid, the cost of so removing" 
destroying or preventing the same, together with all 
costs attending the proceedings relative thereto, shall be 
paid by the person or persons who have caused or 
permitted the same nuisance, source of filth, or cause of 



156 DESCniPTION OF BOSTON. 

sickness to exist, or in whose possession the same may be 
found — And in all cases where any contagious and malig- 
nant disorder exists, within the limits of the town of Bos- 
ton, or on board any vessel, or on any island within the 
harbor of Boston, and it appearing to said Board of 
Health after the same has been examined into hy the 
Physician of said Board, or some other respectable 
Physician of the town of Boston, that the public safety 
requires that any person or persons affected with any- 
contagious, malignant disorder, should be removed to 
the Hospilai on Rainsford Island, or to any other place 
within the the limits of said town of Bostoa, or should 
be confined or remain in the place where such person 
or persons thus affected then are ; in every such case 
the said Board of Health shall pass an order relative 
to the same, which order all persons elwelling in or oc- 
cupying such place, building or vessel, notified thereof 
by said Board, or called upon by said Board shall be 
obliged to obey : and any person refusing to obey such 
order or resisting any ofhcer or person acting under the 
authority of said Board or Member of said Board in any 
of the duties or requirements in this section of this act 
shall severally forfeit and pay for such offence, a sum 
not less than five dollars, and not exeeeding five hun- 
dred dollars, according to the nature and aggravation 
of the offence. 

They have power to seize, take and destroy, or re- 
move to any safe place without the limits of the toun 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 1^? 

Boston, or cause the same to be done, any unwholesome 
and putrid or tainted Meat, Fish, Bread, Vegetable or 
other articles of the Provision kind, or Liquor, which in 
their opinion, first consulting the Physician of the town 
of Boston, shall not be fit for food and nourishment, an3 
injurious to the health of those who might use the same; 

The said Board of Health also, have power to estab- 
lish and regulate the Quarantine to be performed by all 
Vessels arriving within the Harbour of the town of 
Boston, and for that purpose have power from time to 
time, to establish, make and ordain all such Orders^ 
Rules and Regulations relating to said Quarantine, a^ 
said Board shall think necessary for the safety of the 
public and the security of the health of the Inhabitants 
of the said town of Boston. 

They have power to elect and appoint Scavengers, 
Superintendants of burying-grounds, funeral porters or 
undertakers, and such other officers and servants, as 
shall be necessary to carry into effect all the poweris 
aad duties of the Board, 



14 



158 DESClllPTIOX OF BOSTO?f. 

.Military Affairs, Fortificatio ns^ (S*c. 

The subject of this important article will be consid- 
erablj extended. Next to religion, it necessarily en- 
gaged the attention of the iirst settlers. Though they 
cndeaToured io cultivate friendship with the natives, 
and to live in peace, yet they were loo well acquaint- 
ed with their characters not to know that in order to 
preserve it, they should deter them from hostility by 
the exhibition of superior power. Among those who 
first emigrated, were some of experience in war, and 
well skilled in the tactics and art military of the day. 
M the mother country was frequently engaged in war, 
they had danger to apprehend from abroad, as well 
as at home, and soon after their arrival, prepared to de- 
fend the harbour against naval attacks. 

In 1631 it was ordered, that every man who finds ia 
musket shall always have ready one pound powder, 20 
bullets, and two fathoms match [gun locks were not then 
in use] under penalty of if. 10. And that every Captain 
shall train his company every Saturday. In the first 
vol. Tovv'n records, is an order to give Arthur Perry 
/.4 to teach two persons the skill and use of the drumb 
iieedful in common service, and he is to give his best 
diligence to it. The town for many years provided mu- 
sic for the companies. 

In 1652, says Vvjnthrop, a proposition was made 
/'I the people that every company of train -men might 



DESCRIPTIOIN' OF BOSTOX. lf.9 

choose their own Captain and officers ; buithe Govcr.:/:.,' 
giving them reasons to the contrary^ they ware sati«tie:l 
with it. 

The following extract, from Johnson, who was a 
Captain, evinces the military and patriotic spirit of the 
time in which he wrote his " Wonder-working Provi- 
dence," and his zealous admonitions, may not be u^ele^s 
even at the present d^y. 

You shall, (says he,) with all diligence provide a- 
gainst the malignant adversaries of truth. See then yon 
store yourselves with all sorts of weapons of war. Fur- 
bish up your swords, rapiers, and all other plerciui!; 
x^eapom. As for great artillery, wait on the Lord Christ 
and he will stir up friends io provide for you -,* and ia 
the mean time spare not to lay out your coyne for 
powder, bullets, match, and all kinds of insiruments t'cr 
w^r. See that with ail diligence you encourage ever/ 
souldier-like spirit among you, for the Lord Christ in- 
tends to atehieve greater matters by this little handfu?^ 
than the world is aware of 

And as for you who shall be preferred to highest 
p lacest in New England regiment?, cause your G»iptaias 
and other inferiour officers to b# diligent in their scv- 

* The Rev. Mr. Cotton, ^avc, soon after, a larg-e sr.ra. 
for tbat purpose. 

f Mr. Dudley was the first Major General, and »va.s chos- 
cn^i the Election, May 29th, 1644. Was that comrrii?sion 
retained when he was Governor or Lieut. QoYCvnc.v Z 



ICO OESCRTPTION OF BOSTO.^. 

"ftll places. Let /aiihfidlncsse to ihc cause m hand, cour- 
age^ activity znd skilly have the preemmency of honours ; 
for though it may , seems a mean thinge to be a New 
England souldier, yet some of you shall have the batter- 
ing and beating down the overtopping towers of the 
hierarchy. Lieutenants^ ensigns^ and Serjeants, exceed 
not your places, till experience, skill, and true valor, pro- 
iDote you to higher honour, to which yon shall be daily 
aspiring. 

The following description of a training in early time 
is given by D union, who visited this town in the latter 
part of the 17th century. 

It is their custom here, (says he,) for all that can 
bear arms, to go out on a training day. I thought a pike 
was best for a young soldier, and so I carried a pike— • 
'twas the iirst time I was ever in arms. Being: come in- 
to the field, the Captain called us all into our close or- 
"ier, in order to go to prayer, and then prayed him- 
self. And when exercise was done, the Captain like- 
wise concluded with a prayer. Solemn prayer in the 
field upon a day of training I never knew but in New 
England, where it seems it is a common custom. A- 
bout three o'clock, our exercise and prayers being o« 
ver, we had a very noble dinner, to which all the 
clergy were invited. 

The oldest military company now existing in Boston* 



DESCRIPTION OF SOSTON 16t 

15 the Ancient and Honour aMe Artillery company.* Tlie 
anniversary of its institution is celebrated with great 
pomp and parade, the week after the g-eneral election, 
and is becomG one of the most splendid festal days in 
Boston. The iirL«t historical notice I find o? it, is in 
Hubbard. '^ On the 4th September, 1639, divers gen- 
tlemen being joined in a military company, in and about 
Boston, desired- to be made a corporation ; but the Coun- 

'■^ The fii-st charter cf this aucieut company is in the fol- 
lowing- words ;■ — wc know not the period when the orijjinal 
name of the conipany was cuanjjed, nor the cause of the al- 
teration. 

Massachusetts, April 24, 1638. 

Orders for the Military Company made by the Governor 
and Council there, by Order of the General Court. 

Whereas dirers Oeatlcmen and others, out of their care 
of the publick v/eal and safety, by the adyancement of the 
military art and exercise of arms, have desired licence of 
the Court to join themselves in one Company, and to have 
the liberty to exercise themsehcs at such times as their oc- 
casions will permit, and that such liberties and pi'ivileg-f.«; 
might be g-ranted them, as the Court should think meet for 
their better encourag-ement and furtherance in so useful an 
employment; which request of theirs being referred hy the 
L'ourt unto us the Standing- Council, we have thoug-ht fit upon 
serio'js considerations and conference with divers of the 
principal of them, to set down aud order here as fo]io\\-eth : 

Iinprinii", We do order that Robert Kcine, Merchant, 
Nathaniel Duncan, Merchant, Robert Ssdgwick, Gentle- 
man, William Spencer, Merchant, and such others as they 
have already joined with them, and such as they shall from 
time to time take into their Company, shall be called the 
J^I Hilary Conipany of the Massachusetts. 

2d. They or the greater number of them shall have lib- 
,vt;r to choose their Captain, Liculenantj and ail other c:"- 

14* 



im DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

cil considering- (from the example of the Praetorian 
bands among" the Romans, and the Templars in Europe,) 
how dangerous it might be, to erect a standing au- 
thority of military men, which might easily in time o- 
vertop the civil power, thought fit to stop it by times ; 
yet they were allowed to be a company, but subordinate 
to the authority of the country." 

In the year 1633, Castle island was selected as the 

ftcers ; the Captain and Lieutenant to be always such as 
ihe Court or Council shall allow of, and no officer to be put 
upon them but of their own choice. 

3d. None of the said Military Company (except such as 
shall be officers of any other trained band in any particular 
town ; shall be bound to give attendance upon their ordina- 
ry trainings. 

4ih. The first iJonday in every month is appointed for 
their mcetirg and exercise ; and to the end that they may 
not be hindered from coming together, we do hereby order, 
that no other trainings in the particular towns, nor other 
ordinary town meetings shall be appointed on that day ; and 
if that day prove unseasonable for the use of their arms, 
then the sixth of the same week is appointed for supply. 

5tl\ They have liberty and power to make orders a- 
mongst themselves, for the better managing their military 
affairs, which orders are to be of force when they shall be 
allowed by the Court or Council, r.nd they may appoint an 
o.^cer to levy any fines or forfeitures, which they shall im- 
pose upon any of their own Company, for ilie breach of any 
js'jch order so as the same exceed not twenty shillings for any 
one offence. 

6'h. The said Military Company are to have one thou- 
sand acres' of land — in some such place as may not be preju- 
dical to any plantation — to be granted by the Court to some 
of the said Company for the use of the present Company, 
and such as shall join in the same, to be improved by them 
within a lime convenient for providing necessaries for 



DESCRIPriON OP BOSTON 163 

most suitable place for a fortress for the defence of the 
harbour. It was build at first with mud walls, and the 
first commander was a Captain Simpkins. This was on 
account of intelligence that the French had dispossessed 
the Plymouth colonists of their trading house at Kenne- 
beck, and that Cardinal Richlieu was making prepara- 
tions to send o^it forces the next spring, accompanied bj 
priesls and Jesuits, who were more dreaded by the pi- 
ous settlers, than a formidable armament. 

It seems that Xantasket was first thought of for this 
purpose. The harbour at this time had not been ac- 
curately surveyed. The Governor and four assistants, 
three ministers, and eighteen others, visited it, Februa- 
ry 21, it;o2, when they were detained two days by a 
northwest wind and cold, being obliged to lodge on 
sCraw in an open cottage, and to eat muscle?. 

This mud fortress soon fell into decay, and it was re- 
built with pine trees and earth, and the command given 
to Captain Davenj ort. In a^short time, this also became 
useless, and a siixall castle was built with brick walls, 

thtii- military exercises, and defraying of other charges 
W icb may ar^^e by occasion thereof. 

7tb. The said Company shall have liberty at the time' 
before appointed, to assemble themselves for their military 
exercises in any town within this jurisdiction, at their own 
pleasure ; provided always, that this order or grant, or any 
thing therein contained, shall not extend to free the said 
Company, or any of them, their persons or estates, from 
the Civil G^pvernment and Jurisdiction here establishes!. 
JOHN WINTHROP, Governor, 
THOMAS DUDLEY, Depidy Gov'r, 



164 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

and h^d three rooms in it ; a Jvvalling room, a lodging 
room over it, and a gun room over that, containing six 
saker guns, and on the top were mounted three smaller 
pieces. No further alterations were made until the 
reign of Charles II. when the Dutch Admiral Du Ry- 
ter scoured the American seas, and greatly alarmed the 
inhabitants of the colony. To be sure if they had made 
all the preparations that timely notice would have al- 
lowed, they couid not with the means they then pos- 
sessed, have resisted an attack from their formidable ad- 
versary. This report v.as received in July 1663, and 
amidst the confusion it occasioned, the commander, the 
renowned Capt. Richard Davenport, was struck-deadby 
lightning. In August, Capt. Roger Clap, from whose- 
memoirs we have collected some of these facts, was ap- 
pointed to the command hy the General Court. la 
March, 1672-3, they were again under apprehensions 
from the Dutch, the works were consumed by fire, 
Capt. Clap held the command untH the year 1686, when, 
being dissatisfied with the new order of things, he vol- 
untarily resigned his oince. 

These particulars may afford entertainment to gen- 
tlemen who now hold commands in this ancient and re- 
doubtable fortress ; and perhaps some will not sneer 
when they read that it was the custom, in those times, 
for the commanding ofiicer so assemble the soldiers 
morning and evening, and perform the solemn duties of 
a chaplain. In time of peace, public worship was at- 
tended often at Boston and Dorchester- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 165 

The 1st vole respecting- fortitications, was passed on 
Thursday, the 15th of October, 1629, at Mr. Deputy's 
house in England, viz. that for the charge of fortiiica- 
tions the Company's joint stock to bear the one half, 
and the Planters to defray the other, viz. for Ordnance, 
Ammunition, Powder, &c. but for Labourers in building 
of Forts, &c. all men to be employed in an equall pro- 
portion, according to the number of men upon the plan- 
tation, and so continue untill such fitt and necessary work 
be finished. 

At a court holden at Boston July 26, 1631, " it is fur- 
ther ordered, that every first Thursday in every month, 
there shall be a general training of Capt. UnderhilPc 
company of Boston and Roxbury ; and everj^ first Friday 
in every month there shall be a general training of the 
remainder of them who inhabit at Charlestown, Mistick 
and Newtown at a convenient place about the Indian 
Wigwams at one of the clock, in the afternoon. 

March 6th, 1632, It is ordered that if any single per- 
son be not provided with sufficient arms allowable by 
the Captain or Lieutenants before the 10th of April 
Dext, he shall be compelled to serve by the year with 
any master, that will retain him, for such wages, as the 
court shall think meet to appoint. 

August 7th. the Captains shall be maintained by their 
several companies. 

Boston is assessed £5, Charlestown £4, Pi0xbury.£{>, 
Watertown £6, Newton £6, Mystic £3, for the main- 



166 DESCRIPTIOM OF BOSTON. 

tenance of Captain Underhill and Captain Patrick, for 

half a year. 

Serjeant Morris is chosen Antient to Captain Under- 
hill. 

Whomsoever shall be absent from training having 

lawlul warning shall forfeit s.b 

May nth, 1639. The two regiments in the bay 
were mustered at Boston, to the number of 1000 sol- 
diers, all men and well armed and exercised •, they 
were headed the one by the Governor, who was gene- 
ral of all, and the other by the Deputy who was Colon- 
el. The Captains shewed themselves very skillful and 
ready in diverse sorts of skirmishes and other; military 
actions, wherein they spent the whole d^y.-^Winih. 

The fortification on the neck was constriK:ted of 
brick, with a deep ditch on the side next the ne^k, with 
embrazures in front and on the flai ks cannon. It had 
two gates, one for foot passengers, and one for carriag- 
es. It was designed as a defence against the Indians in 
the early settlement of the town. The necessity of 
such a barrier having subsided, and the walls decayed, 
they were taken down, and the neck is laid out as a 

street. 

In 1635, it was agreed '• that for thfi raysing of a ne-j) 
zvorke, of fortification upon the Fort hill, about that 
which is alreddy begun, the whole town would bestowe 
fourteen dayes work, by equall proportion^ and -for thfs 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 161 

^nd Mr. Deputy, Mr, Henry Vane, Mr. J. Winthrop, 
sen. [and others] were appointed commissioners, to set 
down how many dayes work for each man to doe, and 
what money such should contribute as were of greater 
abihties. This worke to begine in hand with soe soon 
as weather will permit, in regard that the engineer, Mr. 
Lyon Garner, whoe doth so freely offer his help there- 
unto, hath but a short time of stay." The sum subscrib- 
ed for this purpose was £50. 

In the old records 1655, is a memorandum, " that 
there is a great bell belonging to the town lent to 
Castle Island, to Captain Richard Davenport." 

In 1708, there were eight companies of foot, consist- 
ing of 150 or 160€ach, and one troop of horse. 

The military force of the town at present, [1816] 
from an official return, consists of three Regiments com- 
posing the 3d Brigade of the 1st Division. 

3 Regiments of Infantry, rank and 

file, 3112 

Officers of all ranks, - - - - 236 

2 Companies of Cavalry, - - - - 65 "^ 

3 doo of Artillery, -- - 132 



3545 
This return does not include the Antient and Honor- 
able Artillery Company, nor the Independent Cadetis. 
The laboratory near the bottom of the Mall, is well 



168 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

furnished with artillery of different calibre, and every 
necessary appendage in complete readiness. Boston, 
in one hour, can bring into the field, a larger and bet- 
ter train of artillery, than could have been produced 
from the whole State,* at the commencement of the 
Revolutionary war. 

* In April, 1 775, the amount of warlike stores in the State, 
(Dukes county and Nantucket excepted,) was 

Fire Arms, 21,549 

Pounds of Powder, ------ 17,441 

do. of Balls, 22,191 

Number of Flints, 144,699 

do. of Bayonets, 10,108 

do. of Pouches, 11,979 

There was little more than half a pound of powder to a man,.. 



« 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. t§9 

Schools. 

The preamble (o the iirst law, establishing schools is' 
somewhat curious, " It being one chief project of Sa- 
tan to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, 
as in former times keeping them in unknown tongues, 
30 in these latter times by persuading from the use of 
tongues that ?o at last the true source and meaning of 
the original might be clouded and corrupted with false 
glosses of deceivers ; to the end therefore, that learn- 
ing may not be buried in the graves of our forefather?) 
In church and Commonwealth," it is enacted, &c. 

In May, 1758, the Selectmen, appointed a committee 
io visit the schools, made the following report, which 
we insert entire, " That on the 24th day of June last, 
they attended that service, accompanied by the follow- 
ing gentlemen, viz. the Hon. John Osborn, Richard 
Bill, Jacob Wendell, Andrew Oliver, Stephen Sewall, 
John Erving, Robert Hooper, Esquires, the gen- 
tlemen Representatives of the town, the gentlemen 
Overseers of the poor, the Rev. Ministers of the town, 
Mr. Treasurer Gray, Joshua Winslow, Richard Dana, 
James Boulineau, Stephen Greenleaf, Esquires, Dr. 
William Clarke, and Mr. John Ruddock : and found in 
the south Grammar school, 115 scholars ; in the south 
Writing school 2 10 ; in the Writing school in Queen- 
street, 230 ; in the north Grammar school, 36 ; in the 
north Writing school, 220 ; all ia very good order.'' 
16 



170 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

From this report it appears that the whole numher of 
scholars at the public schools was 841. 

May 16th, voted that the Selectmen make particular 
inquiry into the state of the several public schools in 
town, and whether there is any neglect of duty in the 
masters or ushers. 

The following is the present system of public educa- 
tion adopted by the town. 

1. That there be one school, in which the rudiments 
of ihe Latin and Greek languages shall be taught, and 
scholars fully qualified for the university. That,, all 
candidates for admission into this school shall be at 
loast ten years of age, having been previously well in- 
structed in English grammar ; that they shall contini^e 
in it no longer than four years, and that they have lib- 
erty to attend the public v.'riting schools at such hours 
as the visiting committee shall direct. 

2. That there be one writing school at the south 
part of the town, one at the centre, one at the north, 
and one at the west part ; that, in these schools, the 
children of both sexes be taught writing, and also arith- 
metic in the various branches usually taught in the 
town schools, including vulgar and decimal fractions. 

3. That there be one reading school at the south 
part of the town, one at the centre, one at the north, 
and one at Ihe west part ; that in these schools, the 
childi-en of both sexes be taught to spell, accent, and 
read bolh prose and verse, and a!«o be instructed in 
Ennflish srrama'iar and convio-ilion. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 171 

4. That the children of both sexes be admitted into 
the reading and writing- schools, at the age of seven 
years, having previously received the instruction usual 
at women's schools ; that thej'- be allowed to continue in 
the reading and writing schools till the age of fourteen, 
the hoys attending the 3^ear round, the girls from the 20th 
of April to the 20ih of October fullov.'ing ; that they at 
tend these schools alternate]}', at such times, and sul»joct 
to such change?, as the visiting committ.'-e in consultation 
with the masters shall approve. 

5 That a committee be annually chosen b}' ballot, to 
consist of tv/elve, in addition to the selectmen, whose, 
bu':iness it shall be to vi^4t the schools once in every 
quarter, and as much oftcner as they shall judge proper 
with three of their number at least, to consult togethex 
in order to devise the best metLols for the instruclioa 
and government of the schools ; and to com.ijuaicate the 
result of their deliberations to the masters ; to delermine 
at what hours the schools shall begin, and to appoint play 
days ; in their visitations to enquire into the pariicular 
regulations of the schools, both in regard to instruction 
and discipline, and give such advice to the masters tfs 
they shall think proper ; to examine the scholars in the 
p articular branches which they are taught ; and, by all 
proper methods, to excite in them a laudable ambition 
to excel in a virtuous, amiable deportment, and in every 
branch of useful knowledge. 

6 That the twelve persons annually chosen, who. io 



liU DEbCKlPTiON OF BOSTON. 

conjunction with the selectmen, are termed the Schoof 
Committee, be, and hereby are directed to carry the- 
HCTV system of education which has been adopted by the 
town into operation ; and said committee are also author- 
»ed and empowered conjunctly to manage and regulate 
the officers and government of the schools, and in future 
to execute all the powers relative to the schools and 
school masters, which the selectmen or such committees 
are authorised by the laws of this Commonwealth, or the 
voles of the town to exercise, any former votes of the 
iown notwithstanding. 

The committee appointed to carry into execution the 
system foregoing, have made the following regulations. 

That the Latin grammer school be divided into four 
classes, and the following books be used in the respect- 
ive classes. 

Fourth Class. — 1, Biglow's Abridgment of Adams' 
tatin Grammar. 2, Biglow's New Latin Primer, 
3, Biglow's Introduction to making Latin. 

Third Class. — ■!, 2, 3, continued. 4. Selectaj e pro- 
fanis, Scriptoribus Historiae. 5. Cicero de Ofiiciis, 
Gradus ad Parnassum. 

Second Class —3 and 6 continued. 7, Adams' Latij:i 
Grammar. 8, Heyne-s Virgil. 9, Sallust. 10, Glou- 
cester Greek Grammar, 11, Caesar's Commentaries. 

First Cla^s.—3, 6,7,8,9,10, 11, continued. 12, 
Cicero's Select Orations. 13, Groeca ]\Iinoi:a QoUect, 
14j.Gre€k Testament, 15, Hoofier, 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 173 

That no translation be used in the school, except such 
as may be contained in the books for the use of the 41h 

class. 

That the several classes be exercised occasionally in 
translating from Latin into English and from English 

into Latin. 

That the master and assistant master devote the last 
week of every quarter in reviewing the scholars in their 
several studies, and particularly in their knovvledg-a of 
latin syntax and prosody. 

That the following books be used in the reading 
schools : the Bible, to he read once a day by the first and 
second classes in course, excepting such parts as the 
masters may deem it best to omit. Select portions to 
be read by the other classes, at the ai>5crctiGn of the 

master. 

The Child's Companion.— Abner Alden's Introdaction 
to Spelling and Reading, 2 vols. — Ahner Alden's Rea- 
der, 1 vol. — Abridgment of Murray's Grammar. — Web- 
ster's American Selection, or 3d pari of his Grammati- 
cal Institute. 

That the masters introduce the following books, as 
may be found expedient. 

Children's Friend. — American Preceptor. — Beauties 
of the Bible.— Abridgment of the History of New-Eng- 
land. — Geographical Catechism.— Historical Grammar. 

That an uniform method of teaching arithmetic be 



used in the several writing gchoolSjTJz, 
15* 



174 DESCRIPTIO^NT OF BOSTON 

Numefatiun— Simple Addiliou, Sabtraction, Multipli- 
cation, and Division.—Compound Addition, Subtraction, 
Multiplication, and Division. — Redaction. — Rule of 
Three. — Practice. 

Tare and Trett, Interest, Fellowship, Exchange, &C' 
are considered as included- in the above ruies. Vulgar 
and Decimal Fractions. 

That the children begin to learn arithmetic, at 1 1 
years of age ; that at 12 years of age thej be taught (o 
make pens. 

That the reading schools be divided into four classes. 
That from the 3d Monday in October to the 3d Mon- 
day in April, for one month, viz. from the 1st Monday in 
the month, the 1st and 2d classes attend the reading, and 
the 3d an 4th the writing schools in the morning 
The 1st and 2d ttend the writing schools, the 3d and 
4th the reading schools, in the afternoon. The month 
following the order to be reversed, and so alternately 
during the above time. 

And from the third Monday in April, to the third 
Monday in October, for one month, viz. from the first 
Bionday in the month, all the boys attend the reading 
school?, and all the girls attend the writing schools, in 
the morning. That all the boys attend the writing 
schools, and ail the girls the reading school in the af- 
ternoon. The month following the order to be re- 
versed, and thus alternately during those siz months. 
-Tiiat it Ixe undertsood, that from the third Monday in 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 173 

April, to the first Monday in June be considered as the 
first month of the summer term. That from the third 
Blonday in October to the first Monday in December 
be considered as the first month of the winter term. 

That the following hours be punctually observed m 
all the schools, viz. fi\ m the third Monday in April to 
the third Monday in October, the schools begin at half 
past seven o'clock, A. M. and continue, until eleven, 
and beg-in at two o'clock, P. M. and continue until five" 

That from the third Monday in October to the third 
Monday in April, the schools begin at half past eight 
•'clock, A. M. and continue until half past four. 

That the bells of the schools be rung punctually at 
the hours of beginning the schools, and be tolled until 
the master be present. Also that they be tolled at the 
hour of dismissing the schools. 

That the time of annual visitation be always within 
a fortnight preceding commencement week, and the 
semi-annual, the third week in February. 

That the masters be excused from keeping school 
on the following days : — 

Every Thui-sday and Saturday afternoon throughout 
the year. The afternoon preceding fasts and thanks- 
givings. The first Monday in June. Election week. 
The fourth day of July. Commencement week. 
Christmas day, and on the general trainings, and other 
days, when the masters and ushers are obliged, by law, 
to perform military duty, and no other days., except by 
a special vote of the school committee. 



ITG 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 



That the committee he divided into five equal parts, 
as sub-commiltees, for the purpose of inspecting the re- 
spective schools, and examining the scholars ; and that 
one committee be assigned respectively to the Lain 
Grammar, the north, the south, the west, and to 
th^ centre schools. 

That the inspecting committees be enjoined to visit 
their respective schools, at least once every month, and 
as much oftener as they may think proper. 

That the inspecting committees make the laws of the 
stite respecting schools, the votes of the town and of 
this committee, the rule of their conduct in visiting 
the schools. 

That it be the indispensable duty of the several school 
masters, daily to commence the duties of their oiHce by 
prayer, and reailing a portion of the sacred scriptures, 
at the hour assigned for opening the school, in the 
morning ; and close the same in the evening with 
prayer. 

That the masters and ushers of the several schools 
be chosen annually by the committee, subject to re- 
moval by them upon proof of any sufficient cause. 

That in case of vacancy in any school, by resignation 
or otherwise of the usher, the visiting committee of 
such school shall be empowered to approbate any suit- 
able person, nominated either by the master, or by the 
visiting committee, to hold the place until the next reg- 
ular meeting of the school committee. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 111 

At the last visitation ia August, of eight public schools, 
the whole number of pupils were estimated at 2000. 
The west school contained 336 boys, 363 girls ; the 
north, 250 boys, 126 girls. The whole, it is stated, ex- 
hibiting pictures of improvement, of neatness and good 
order, highly gratifying to the visitors, and reflecting 
credit on the science and application of the Instructors. 
The exercises at the old Latin Grammar School, above 
were spoken of in terms of high commendation. 

Besides the above, there are many private Schools 
and academies in town, under the superintendance of 
able and learned instructors, the number of wko«e pi*- 
pils, probably amount to 500 



173 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

MarJcetru 

In 163 i, March 4tb, By order of court a Market wr^t 
erected* to be kept open the 5th day of the week,, be- 
ing the lecture day. 

In 1636, it was ordered, that all timber in the Market 
place shall be taken away before the next meeting up- 
on forfeiture of the timber, &c. and to be gotten cleane, 
and cleane dressed by that time, and the ^^ sawe pitit'^ 
gotten iilled. 

1664. It was ordered that the guns in the Market 

place be he trimmed ikp against the court of i»electmen dO- 

Dually. 

1633, Voted that there be three phces assigned for 

the Market. 1, The vacant place at or near the Town- 
Deck. 2, The open place near the Old North Meet' 
ing house. 3, At or near the great tree at the South- 
end near Mr. Elliot's house. 

1635, The selectmen desired to lay a floor in the 
Market place at the Northerly part of the town. 

1781, It was voted that the above assigned places at the 
North and South end, be appropriated to some other 
use, and at the next meeting the selectmen were autho r- 
ised to sell the land at the south end, and " empowered 

* It is not to be inferred with certainty, from the word 
erected, that any building was constructed ; probably, how- 
ever, there was a temporary one as a shelter for the market 
men. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 179 

to take down the North Market place," and remove 
the materials to accommodate the Work House. 

1743. March 14. The selectmen informed the town, 
that the lease of the South Market^ hired of Mr Willis, 
having expired, desired directions of the town, to the dis- 
posal of the buildings on it. The business was committ- 
ed to the Selectmen. 

Some reasons offered to the good people of Boston 
and adjacent places for the setting up markets in Boston. 

The imprimatur is dated Febuary 29th 1719, signed 
Shiite. 

In this the writer observes, "it is to the surprise of 
all strangers, who come among us, that in so large and 
populous a town, they liud no particular days, nor appoin- 
ted places in the town, fixed for holding of markets." 
He speaks of the advantage of such a regulation and no- 
tices the remarks of some who say " ta-e have tried once 
and could do nothing about the setting up of a Market, 
it was all confusion and people were ready almost to fall 
together by the ears." 

"As to places suitable" he adds" the North-end have 
the fair square before the old church there, to which 
might be added the slip of ground behind it. The south- 
end cannot want one. And as to the Middle of the town, 
if the Dock were but filled up even with the fine wharf 
which is already built out into it and those wretched old 
houses which now pinch up the way were pulled down 



180 jDESCniPTION OF BOSTON. 

it would afford a most pleasant and spacious place for a 
Market to the great beauty and utmost conveniency ©f 
(he town. 



Market Remdattons. 

First or old market.] All Carts or other CarriageSy 
with provisions of any kind for sale, which shall stand 
In Dock-Square, Market square. Union and Ann-street, 
shall be under the direction of the Clerk of the Market ; 
all horses shall be taken from such carriages, and carried 
to one of the neighbouring stables, or otherwise removed 
from the streets by the owners o- drivers. No cart or 
other carriage shall be suffered to stand in Court-street^ 
Exchange-street or the passage-way between Dock- 
square and Union-street. 

No person shall be allowed to stand with vegetables, 
or fruit for sale in Dock-square, until all the stalls in the 
Market-square shall be occupied, and no carts, for sale 
of articles, shall stand in Cornhill, until Dock-square 
shall be filled, at the discretion of the Clerk of the Mar- 
ket ; and those carriages, v.'hich for want of room ia 
Dock-square, shall be obliged to stand in Cornhill, shall 
be ranged on one side of the street only. 

No waggons, carts nor sleds, with hogsheads, barrels, 
boats, hoop-poles, oars, limber, boards, ladders, spouts, 
nor gutters, wooden, nor tin ware, chairs, nor baskets, 
^hall be suffered to stand in Market nor Dock squares ; 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 181 

In State-street, or any street contiguous thereto ; but 
shall have a convenient stand on land belonging to the 
town^ about the middle of Pond-street, between the 
Baptist Meeting houses. 

No carts nor other carriages with provisions for sale, 
and no other riding carriages shall stand in State-street. 

All waggons, carts and sleds with cider, shall stand in 
Water-street, in one line on the north side thereof, and 
in Adams-street on the east side thereof, and as many 
in Liberty square as shall be found convenient for the 
free passage of carriages through said square. 

Boylston Market.] No cart, waggcn, nor sled, with 
beef or mutton for sale, shall be allowed to stand in Or-. 
ange, Newbury, Boylston, nor Essex-streets. 

No carriages containing provisions of any kind, nor 
^ny empty carriage shall be allowed to stand in Boyl- 
ston-street. 

Carriages, ccntainingprovisions, except beef or mut- 
ton, shall be allowed to stand in Orange-street, in front 
of the Market-house in one line on the west side of the 
Street, leaving two spaces for entrances to the Market- 
hou5e, to be designated and limited by the Clerk of the 
Market. 

West jBostonMai'ket.] No person shall be allowed to 
stand in Cambridge-street, or either of the street?, 
branching, therefrom with their waggons, carts, sleds', 
or horses, having meat, vegetables, or other articles of 

provisions for sale ; nor shall anr per^Qn bd allowed to 

16 



182 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

place any stall, bench or block in said streets to exhibit 
any such provisions for sale. 

And it is hereby ordered in pursuance of the authority 
above named, that if any person shall o-Tend against either 
of the above rules and orders, he shall forfeit and pay 
the sum of Five Dollars, upon conviction of every such 
breach of said rules and orders. 

These several markets are ab^^ndantly supplied with 
the various productions of the well cultivated and fertile 
countrj^, which composes the New-England States. In 
the article of meats, we yield to none, and our beef and 
mutton particularly are superior to any in the United 
State?. The markets of New-York and Philadelphia 
liave a greater variety of fruits, but their culinary roots 
are inferiour to ours. 

With respect to fish. — Our cod, haddock, halibut, &c. 
are equal to any in the world ; and being taken a few 
miles from town, are brought to market in excellent or- 
der, without being* injured by confinement, in smacks. 
Our best oysters are brought Ircm New-York to Cape 
Cod, where they are planted, and thence transported to 
Eg tni ; they appear to suffer little by removal. Sal- 
mon, are brought in their season, from Merrimack, Ken- 
nebeck and Penobscot rivers, where they are taken in 
wears and nets. They usuall}^ arrive here fresh and 
sound, and sell on an average, for about 25 cents per 
pound. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 183 

The sale of oysters is prohibited from the fifth of July 
to the first of September, by the Board of Health. 

In the first market are 00 s alls for the sale of vegetables, 
a fish market, and a meal market, besides stands for 60 
or 70 Wao-o-ons. Under the market house are 8 cellars 
for salting provisions. The cierk of this market com- 
putes, that on an averrge there are daily sold there 
12,000 pounds of provi'^ions, of different kinds, besides 
large quantities of fresh fish. 

In a word there is nothing wanting in Boston markets, 
to satisfy the wants of the rational liver, or the fastidious 
palate of the Epicure. 

Buildings over the markets will be noticed in the ar- 
ticle of Public Buildings. 



'lU DESCRIPTIOrN OF B03T0]?e 

Streets, Sec 

•» 

It is a matter of regret, that the town was not at first 
settled on a regular plan. In laying out streets, con- 
venience was more studied than regularity, and ele- 
g-ance gave place to the concerns of business. 

Though the government of the tov/n, soon after its 
settlement, endeavored to correct some of their early 
errors, yet they seem to have had an utter aversion to 
right angles ; and though their moral walk was upright* 
they took little pains to make their crooked higMvays 
straight. This irregularity, however, was partly occa- 
sioned by the uneven surface of thf ground on which 
the town is built, and the irregularity of its outline. 
Whether this ancient disposition of the streets manifest" 
ed want of taste, and has injured the appearance of the 
town is uncertain. On this subject, we introduce the 
authority of a great master : — 

" The forms and turnings of the streets of London? 
and other old towns, yre produced by accident, without 
any original plan or design ; bnt they are not always the 
less pleasant to the walker or spectator, on that account. 
On the contra y, ii the city had been built on the reg- 
ular plan of Sir Christopher Wren, the eftect might 
have been, as we know it is in some new parts of the 
town, rather unpleasing ; the uniformity might have 
produced wearmess, and a slight degree of disgust." 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 185 

1636, 4th, 8 mo. '' At a meeting of the overseers, it 
was ordered that from this day there shall be no house 
at all be built neare unto any of the slreetes or laynes 
therein, but with the consent of the overseers, for the 
avoyding disorderly building to the inconvenience o^ 
streetes and laynes, and for the more comely and com- 
modious ordering of them upon the forfeiture of such 
sume as the overseers shall see fitting. 

17th same mo. " Item — that John Gallop shall re- 
move his payles at his yards end within fourteen days, 
and to rainge them even with the corner of his house, 
for the preserving the way upon the sea banke." 

On the same day, there were orders for laying out 
" sundry ways, regulating their width. A streete waye 
between Henry Lynn and Mr. Samuel Cole, ground to 
runne up from the water syde, to the next great Crosse 
street, one rod and a half broad. 

" Also a layne to be left to goe from the water side 
upon the banke, or neare to goe along to the Mylne 
cove, of the same width." 

" Item — that the streete waye from the gates next 
James Everitt's, toward the Mylne, is to runne straight 
along in an even line to John Pemberton's house, and 
to rainge betweene Thomas Marshall's house and Ser- 
jeant Savage's, and to bee within the street betweene 
payle and payle on each side, two poles broad. 

*' A layne to goe from cove to cove, between Thorn- 

16* 



186 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

as Paynter and Thomas Marshall's, one pole and a half 
between payle and payie." 

June, 1636. " A sufTicient foot waye to be malcle 
from Wm. Coftorn-s field, and unto Samuel Wilbore's 
field next Roxhury.^'' 

1640. " Ordered that the streete from Mr. Ather- 
ton Haughe's to the Gentry hill, be layd out and soe ta 
be kept open forever. 

1641. The first order for maintenance of highways. 
'• The richer sort of inhabitants shall afford three days 
worke of one man (except such as have teams.) The' 
men of middle estates two days, and the poorer sort one 
day, according to the discretion of the surveyors. Ev- 
ery team is to afford one days worke, under penalty of 
.?.2 a day for each man that is detective, and 5.8 if carts 
be defective." 

May 3d, 1703. At a meeting of the Selectmen, or- 
dered that the streets, lanes and alleys of the town, as 
they are now bounded and named, be recorded as fol- 
lows, viz. 

The broad street or highway from the old fortifica- 
tioiiS on the neck leading into the town, as far as the 
c&raer of the late Deacon Elliot's house, be called 
Oroyngestreci. [in 1715, £.260 old tenor, were grant- 
* d for paving 42 rods in length of the highway in Or- 
'-tEge-street, from the Town-slip, by that which was 
Welcome's house as far southerly as Mr. Thomas Walk- 
Cii-'L ho'-ascj provide'l the owneis of land? abutfinj on the 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOX. 187 

same, defray the charge of paving each side of the street 
the same breadth as has usually been done.] 

The way leading easterly from said Elliot's corner 
by the late Deacon Allen's, extending to Windmill point, 
— Essex-street. 

The way below the said Elliot's barn, leading from 
Orange-street eastward by the sea side, — Beach-street. 
The way leading from the late Elder Ransford's cor- 
ner in Essex-street to Beach-street, and down to the 
sea, —Ransford'^s-lanc. 

The way leading from Capt. Frary's corner, westward 
to the bottom of the Common, with a turn southerly 
down to the sea^— -Frog-lane, [Boylston-sireet.] 

The street from the comer of the house, near Dea- 
con Elliots corner, leading into town, by the house of 
Samuel Sewall, Esq. as far as Di*. Cakes' corner,— JVe-^- 
bury-street. 

The new alley leading between Mr. Blyn's and Du 
rant's, in Newbury-street, westerly into the Common, — 
Hog-alley., [Sheaf -la^ie.] 

The street leading easterly Irom Wheeler's corner 
in- Newbury-street, by the Town's watermg place, ae 
far as Capt. Dyer's 1 am, — Pond-street. 

The way leading from Esq Usher's barn southward 
into Essex-street, — Shori-strcei. 

The way from the lower end of Pond-street norther- 
ly into Church green^-^Blind-lane. 



188 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

The way from CowelPs corner, in Newburjvstreet. 
westward into the Common, — West-street. 

The street from Ellis' corner westward into the com- 
mon, — Winter-street, [formerly BoWs-lane.] [In 1743, 
£.260 old tenor, were voted for paving Winter-street, 
provided the abutters, or some of tliem become oblig- 
ed to the Selectmen for defraying the other two thirds 
part, thereof according to the directions of the Select- 
men.] 

The street from Dr. Cakes' corner, in Pfewbury- 
street, passing by the house of Capt. Thomas Clarke to 
the sea, — Summer-street. 

The street from Baxter's corner, in Summer-streetj 
leading southerly by Deacon Allen's down to the sea, — 
South-street. 

The way from Bull's corner, lower end of Sumner- 
street, southerly to Windmill point, — Sea-street. 

The broad street leading from Penneman's corner, 
headof Summer-street, by the south meeting house, to 
Haughs' corner, — Marlborough-street. 

The way from Briscow's corner, in Marlborough'* 
street, by Justice Broomfield's, into the common, — 
Rawson's-lane, [BroomJieWs lane.'j^ 

The way from the south meeting house, passing by 
Mr. Borland's, and Madame Oliver's, down to the sea by 
Hallaway's, — Milk-street. 

The way from Milk-street to Clarke's corner in Sum- 
mer-street, — Bishop' s-alley^ Hawley-street* 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. I89 

The lane leading* easterly from Borland's corner in 
Milk-strofct to Beard's corner in Cow-lane, — Long-lane^ 
[Federal- street] 

Tlie street where Mr. Daniel Oliver now dwells, 
passing" from Mi^k-street up to Fort hiii, — Oliver-street. 

The vva}' leading- from Fort hill, sourtherly to Morey's 
corner, in Summer-street, — Cow-lane, [High-sir eet.] 

The way from the lower end of Summer-street, lead- 
ing northeas'crly by the sea side, with the return up to 
the rope-wail, — Flownder lane, [pdiTt of Sea-street.] 

The alley by Wharton's house in Cow-lane, leading 
easterly into Harrison's rope-walk, — Crooked-alky. 

The way from John Robert's house in Cow- lane lead- 
ing" easterly by Capt. Bonner's into the rope-walk, — Grid^ 
ley''s-lane. 

The way from the upper end of Cow-lane, leading 
eastrly, passing by Mr. IJubbert's down to the sea — • 
Gibh,s-lane. 

The way leading from the northerly side of Fort Hill, 
passing down easterly by the old brew-hou«e into Batter- 
ry march — Sconce-lane. 

Thj way leading from Hallaway's corner, by the end 
of Mi k-street, passing by the lattery, extending to the 
lower end of Gibb's-iane, — Battery-march. 

The nay leading southerly from Gibb's-lane on Fort 
hill, passing by Drinker's to the rope walk, — Belcher\ 
lane. 



1^0 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

The way from Haugh's corner, leadin;^^ aoiihwesleHy 
by the Latin free school, as far as Mr. VV^^iitcomb's cor- 
ner, — School-street. 

The vvay leading frdn Mr. Whitcomb\<? corner, the 
house of Capt. Fairiveather, westerly throug-hthe upper 
sile of the common, an J so down to the sea, — Beacon- 
street. 

The way leadini^ fi'om Beacon-?treet on the upper 
side of the common, unto Mr. Allen's orchard, — Davies^- 
lane. 

The way leading" from Beacon-street, between Capt. 
Alford's land and Madam Shrimptoa's pasture, up to Cent- 
rey hill, — Centrey-street. 

The street from the lower end of School-street, lead- 
ing northerly as far as Mr. Clark, the pewterer's shop.' 
= — Corn-hill. 

The way leading from a tenement of Capt. Clarke 
nigh the lower end of School-street, to Winslow's corn- 
er, in Joyliers-lane, — Spring- lane. 

The street leading from Cox the butcher's shop ia 
Comhill, passing by Maj. Wallay's, as far as Oliver's 
corner, — Water-street, 

The a" ley leading from the end of Water-street, 
through Mrs. Oliver's land by Odeli's into Milk-street, 
Cooper'' s-alley., lAdams-street.'\ 

The way leading from Water-street, passing between 
Major Walley's and Mr. Bridgham's land into Milk- 
street. — Twiners'^ -lane ^ [Horn-lane^ or Baik-streei. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 19 i 

The lane passing from Water-street into Milk-street, 
according to the name by which it hath been formerly 
known,-— Joi//Ve^*5-Zf/«€,[part of Devon shin^-streei.'] 

The way pas.-ing round the old meeting-house,— 
Church-squarc^[Cornhill'Square.] 

The street leading from Corn-hill, including the v/ays 
on each side of the Town House, extending easterly to 
the sea, — King-strect^[Siate-str€et ] 

The street leading from Mr. Bering's corner in Corn- 
hill, to Houchen's at the upper end of Hanover-street,— 
Queen'Street^[Court-stre€t.] 

The way leading from the mansion house of the late 
Simon Lynde, P>sq. by Capt. Louthack's, as far as Col 
Townsend's corne r, — Tra -Mount-street. 

The way leading trom Melyne's corner, near Col. 
Townsend's passing through the Common, along by Mr. 
Sh'^^l ^ into Frog-iane, — Common-street. 

The alley leading from the Common, easterly, on 

the north side of Madame Usher''s house, — Turn-again- 
alley. 

The way leading from the Exchange in King-street, 
passing by Mrs. Phillips' into Water-street, — Pudditig- 
lanc^ [JJevonshire-street.] 

The way leading from King-street, by the house of 
Isaac Addington, Esq. with the return into Pudding- 
lane, — Ilalf-squa re-Court^ [front of Exchange Coffee 
House. ^ 

The way leading from Maccartey's comer in King- 
treet, to Elder Bridgham's ware-house in Water-street, 



in DBSCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

-« — Levcrett'S-Lane., [part of Congress-street. Since cen- 
tinued into Milk-street ] 

The way leading from Justice Dummer's corner in 
King-street, passing over the bridge as far as Mr. Daf- 
forn's corner in Miik-street, — Mackrill-lane^ [Kilby- 
street ]* 

The way leading from the house, formerly the Cas- 
tie*tavern, in Mackrill-lane passing by Mr. Hallaway's 
Tvharf to the sea, — Crah-lane. 

The way leading from the sign of the orange tree, 
passing by Mr. Stephen Minot's to the mill pond, and 
From thence to the lower end of Cold-lane, — Suuhury- 
sireet. 

The way leading from Emmon's corner, passing by 
Justice Lynde's pasture, and thence westerly to the 
the sea, — Camhridge'Street. 

The way passing on the northerl}' side of the livery 
stable in Justice Lynde's pasture, to Mr. Allen'^s farm 
house, — Green-lane^ Green-strext. 

The way from Mr. Powing's corner by Dock-square, 
leading southerly into King street, — Crooked-lane^ [Wil' 
son''s-lanc.] 

The square from the house of Eliakim Hutchinson, 

*Peter Oliver's Dock f'onncrlv ran up as hig-h as where 
Merchants Hall now st-nds ; the lower part of State-street 
running- along the e^lg-c ol'thc dork. MackreII-1: nv' wi's very 
narrow till tl:c great fire in 1760, and the hridrre here men- 
tioned was opposite the piace where the liberty pole lately 
stood. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 193 

Esq. to Mr. Pemberton's corner on one side, and from 
Kenney's shop to Mr. Meer's corner on the other side, 
-^Dock-square. 

The lane leading from Capt. Savage's comer in Dock- 
square, to Madame Shrimpton's corner in King-street.— 
Shrimptoji^S'lane^ [Exchange-str eet-^ 

The way leading from Mr. Meers' corner, along by 
the side of the Dock, as far as the corner of the ware- 
house, formerly Major Davis', — Corn-Market. 

The alley leading from Mr. Mountfort's in Corn-Mar- 
ket, to Capt. Fitch's corner in King-street, — Piercers al- 
ley. 

The way leading from Justice Palmers ware-house in 
Corn-market, up to Moorcock's buildings, — Corn-court. 

The way leading from Madam Butler's corner, at the 
lower end of King-street, to the swinging bridge, thence 
to the lower end of Woodsmanside's wharf,— ..M^ercAaTii^'- 
Row, 

The way leading from Piatt's comer, northwesterly 
by the Green Dragon, to the mill pond, — -Union-street. 

The street between Houchin's corner and the sisrn of 
file orange tree, northerly to the mill bridge, — Hixnovef' 
street. 

The way from Perhberton's corner at the end o^ 
Dock-square, to Justice Lynd's corner in Hanover-street, 
-^Wing^s-lane^ [Elm-streft, [ormer]y Hudson^ s-lane.] 

The way leading from the middle of Wing's-Iane to 

Mr. Coleman's Church, thence the two ways, viz. soutb- 
17 



194. DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

eriy to Queen-street, and easterly to DockTsquare, — 
Braiile-street. 

The nfjo way leading from Pollard's corner in Brattle- 
street through Mr. Belknap's yard into Queen-street — 
Ililliar's-lane. [commonly called Gay-alley.] 

The way leading from Hanover street, northwester- 
ly down to the mill pond, — Cold-lane, [Portland-street,] 

The way leading from Capt. Ballentine's corner, nigh 
the mill-bridge, to the comer of Capt. Fitches, Union- 
8 treet, — MarshaWs-lane. 

The way from Brook's corner, Marshall's-Iane, by 
Mr. Bulfinch's to Scottow's alley, — Creek lane. 

The way leading from Creek-lane to Capt. Bow's cor- 
ner in Union-street, — Salt-lane. 

The way leadiog from Creek-lane to Mr. Webb's cor- 
ner in Union-street, — Marsh-lane. 

The way leading from the sign of the star in Hano- 
ver-street northward behind Capt. Evertcn's house,- — 
Linck-alley. 

The way from the conduit in Union-Street, over the 

bridge to EUiston's corner, lower end of Cross-street, — 
A7in-street. 

The way from Antram's corner, nigh the conduit, 
from thence northeasterly by the side of the Dock as 
far as Mr. "Winsor's ware-house, — Fish-j\ia7'hct. 

The way from Union-street, southwesterly between 
the buildings of the late Caj;t. Clarke, — MinoCs-court. 

The alley by Capt. HalTijah Savage's in Ann-street, 
northwest to Creek-lane, "Scottozi^^s-o.lhy. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. I95 

The waybet\veeQ Capt. Wiasors and Mrs. Pembep- 
ton's, in Ann-street, to the wharfs by the swinging- 
bridge, — Siving'bridge-ldne. 

The street from Mountjoj's corner, lower end of 
Cross-street northerly to the sign of the Swan, by Scar- 
let's v/harf, — Fisk-street. 

The way leading northwesterly from Mr. Thomae' 
corner in Ann-zivQet^—Paddey'^s-alley. [Centrc-sireei.^ 

The street from the miil-bridge, northerly as far as 
Jonas Clarke's corner, at th© end of Bennet-street,— - 
MiddU'Strset. 

The way leading northerly from Stanbury's, nigh the 
mill bridge, as far as Mr. Gee's corner, into Prince- 
street, — Back-street. 

The way leading from the mill pond southeasterly by 
the late Deacon Phillips' stone house^ to the sea, — Cross- 
street. 

The way leading from the northwesterly end of Cross- 
street, northerly by Vering's house, nigh the mill-pond, 
Old-'^^ay* 

The lane by the house of Capt. Timothy Prout, from 
Middle to Fish-street, and so down to the seB^-^Wood- 
lane [Proctor'' s-lane.^ 

The way from Wales' corner in Middle-street, north' 

*This way is now totally discontinued. It was the foot 
way from ths centre of the town to the bottom of Snow-hill 
street, at the north end of which, was the ferry way to 
CJi*riestcwn. 



nse DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

westerly into Back-street, — Bur-lane, [since Beer-lane^ 
Bridge' s-lane, Richmond-street.] 

The alley from Ann-street between the late Capt. 
Lake's and Manney's buildings to Indicott's shop ia 
Cross-street — Elborv-alley. 

The alley from Fish-street, to Middle-street between 
lands of Clarke and Gallop, — Gallop^ s-alley. 

The street leading from Morell's corner in Middle- 
street by Mr. Dayid Norton's to the salt water at the 

ferry way, — Prince-street. 

The street leading northerly from the easterly end 

of Bennet-street nigh Mr^ Jonas Clarke's to the sea,—* 

JVorth-sireet. 

The street leading from William's corner, nigh said 
Clarke's easterly down to the sea by Scarlet's wharf, — 
Fleei-sireet, 

The alley leading northwesterly from the north 
meeting house into Middle-street, — Bell-alley. 

The square lying on the southerly side of the north 
meeting house including the ways on each side of the 
watch house, — Clarke'^s square [JVorih square.] 

The way leading southeasterly from the north meet^ 
ing house into Fish-street, — Sun-court. 

The way leading from the North meeting house 
northerly by Captain Barnard's into Fieel-street, — 
Moon-street. 

The way leading northerly from Madam Winsley's 
corner, between Col. Foster's and Mr. Frizzess into 
He^t-strect, — Gardeji-cptift, 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 197 

The v/ay leading from Everton's corner nigh Scarlet's 
wharf to the North Battery, — Ship-street. 

The way leading northwesterly from the North-Bat- 
terj^ to the Ferry-way by Hudson's point, — Lynn-street. 

The way leading along the shore, from Hudson's-point 
southwesterly to the mill stream by Mr. Gee's building- 
yard^ — Ferry-way [part of Lymi-street.] 

The street leading northwesterly from Mr. Ramford'^s 
corner in ITorth-street towards the Ferry»point at 
Charleston — Charter-street. 

The way leaJing from Cerwithy's corner in Prince- 
street to Mr. Phipp's corner in Charter-street, — Salem- 
[formeriy Green lane.] 

The way leading northerly from Travies corner in 
Prince street to the end of Ferry way by Hudsoa'^ 
point, — Saozv-hill. 

The way southerly from Snow-hill to Salem-street,— 
Hull-street. 

The way northwesterly from Jonas Clarke's corner 
to Salem-street, — Bennet-street. 

The way north-westerly from Capt. Stephen's corn- 
er in North-street, into Bennet-street, — Love-street. 

The alley leading from the burying place in Charter- 
street, Adkin's lime kiln in Lynn-street, — Lime-alley. 

The alley leadmg from Charter-street down by Benj. 
Williams' in Lynn-street, — Sliding-alley. [Proctor-lane.^ 

The way leading irom Chtirter-street down by Mr 

Buckley's into Lvmr street, — HcnchnfianU-lmi^ 
17* 



198 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

The alley leading from Charter-street down through 
Mr. Greenough's building yard in Lynn-street, — Green- 
ougJt' s-alley . 

The alley leading down by the salutation into Ship- 
street, Salutation-alley. 

The alley leading along Charter-street by Mr. Park- 
in an''s into Ship -street nigh the north battery, — Battery-- 
alley. 

The alley leading down to Capt. Richard's corner ia 
Ship-street, — Whitc-hreaa-alley. 

For many reasons we have inserted this ancient re- 
cord of the streets in this work. Ancient landmarks 
should be carefully ascertained and preserved. 

The names given to the streets, in the order of the 
Selectmen, m May, 1708, were not, inmost cases, the 
same, that th6y were known by previous to that time. 
In the records of deeds, the several highways, &c. are 
thus designated. 

The great street leadir^ to Roxbury, for Grange- 
street. — The lane over the hill towards Charlestown 
ferry, for Snow-hill-street. — The street that leads to 
the north burying place, for Charter-street. — The lane 
that leads from Sir William Phipps' new house to Car. 
stithio's house, for Salem-street. — The alley that leads 
to AVinnissimmit ferry place, for Salutation-alley. — The 
street that leads by Deacon Phillips' stone house, for 
Cross-street. 

Everyone*acquainted with the present state of the 
.(©•\'n, will perceive, that great alterations and improve 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. I9» 

meDts hare been made since 1708, especially withia 
the last twenty years. The streets lately built are reg- 
ular and spacious, with convenient foot ways and gener- 
ally well paved. State-street as you approach it from 
Long-Wharf has a fine appearance. The principal 
buildings, on both sides of the street exhibit chaste and 
elegant specimens of architecture ; and we are glad to 
see, that in their construction our excellent granite is 
used instead of brick. 

Great and expensive improvements are now makings 
in a way recently opened from Court-street to the north- 
erly end of Cornhill. These when completed, will be 
ornamental to the town, and creditable to the project- 
ors. This passage is to be named New-Cornhill. 
Broad-street, India-street, Common, Park and Beacon- 
street, would do honour to any city. 

The chief defect in our new streets, is to be found in 
the side walks, into which the door steps are often jutted 
out six or seven feel, leaving room scarcely sufficient 
for the passage of a single person. These impediments 
the night walker and the stranger will find to his pain 
in passing Franklin Place, and the Tontine buildings. 

Another defect in some of the streets most frequent- 
ed, is the cellar doors, which open in the foot passages. 
A stranger passing in the night, is in continual danger of 
falling into a victuaUing cellar or gin shop, perhaps with 
a broken limb. 

We doubt not the proper officers have interposed 
w hat authority they had, to prevent these encroach 



200 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON* 

ments. Could not steps built in recesses, in most in- 
stances, be substituted in place of these obstructions to 
the great convenience of the public, and without detri- 
ment to the owners of the buildings ? 

By a late Law of the General Caurt, the following 
Regulations are directed to be observed in future in the 
Town of Boston. 

The width of the foot walk in every street, is to be 
one sixth of the width of the street. 

Squares and open places to be regulated by the Se- 
lectmen. 

The foot walk is to be paved with bricks or flat 
stone, and secured with cut stone or timber, at the ex- 
pence of the owners of the lots, 

In case of neglect in any owner or occupier of a lot 
to pave the foot walk, for the space of twenty days after 
notice given, the Selectmen are directed to have the 
same completed, and to call upon the proprietors of the 
lots for the cost of the same. 

The foot wiy to be paved at the expence of the 
Town, where the Selectmen may think it expedient. 

No horse, cart, or wheelbarrow to be driven on the 
foot walk under the penalty of one dollar for every of- 
fence% 

No canopy, balcony, platform or cellar door or steps 
*nto any street more than one tenth of the width of the 
street ; and in no case more than three {eet. 

All cellar doors to be built with upright cheeks, not to 
project more than six inches from the line of the house 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 201 

No post to be set up, nor any tree planted in any 
street, but by the special direction of the Selectmen. 

No portico, porch, bow-window, or sign shall pro- 
ject into the street more than one foot beyond the front 
of any house or lot. 

Each member of the Board has a portion of the town 
assigned to him, as his district, in Which he has the di- 
rection and oversight of the streets, and of the repairs 
necessary to them *, and has liberty to undertake, and 
order any work, the expence of which, shall not ex- 
ceed 20 dollars. Undertakings exceeding that sum 
must be laid before the board. 

Expences in streets from May, 1815, to March, 1816v 
§12,200,75. 

Lamps — wages to Lamplighters for the same period^ 
2,502,12. 

Total expence including oil, repairs of lamps, 84c* 
g9, 14 1,90. 



THE NAMES AND SITUATIONS OF THE STREETS IN BOSTOlTj 
AT PRESENT, ARE AS FQLLOW : 

Adams street, from Liberty square, to Milk-street. 
Alden lane, from West row to Sudbury street. 

Allen st S K ^"rcm Chamber street to Charles River* 

Ann, northeast from Market square to Fish street. 
Ash street, back of 10&, Orange st. 
Atkinson, from Miik-street to ilusseil wharf. 



003 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

Bath street, opposite North end of Pearl street. 
Backstreet, north from MiJdle street, near Mill bridge, 

to Prince street. 
Bangs alley, between l'3an(l 17 Kilby street. 
Batterymarch street from Liberty square to Broad st. 
Battery alley, from North street to Ship street. 
Beach street, irom 79 Orange st. across Rainsford lane. 
Beacon sireet, from Kia^'s Chapel to C harles street. 
Belknap street, from Beacon to Cambridge street. 
Bennett street, (Soath) from 93 Orano-e, to Front st. 
Bennett street, (North) from Universaiist Meetinghouse 

to Salem street. 
Berry street, from the Meeting liousse in Federal street, 

to Atkinson street. 
Blossom street, north from Cambridge street, opposite 

to Garden street. .. 
Bowdoin street, south end of Middlecot st. from Derne 

to Beacon street. 
Bowdoin square, between Cambridge st. and Court st. 
■ Boylston street, from Boylston Market to ropewalks 

Pleasant street. 
Brattle square, from the Market by the Meeting house 

to Film street. 
Bread street, from Broad street, across Well street to 

Iniia street. 
Brid^^e street, north from Cambridge street, opposite 

W. Cetitre street. 
Broad street, from iState st. to head of ladia wharf. 



BESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 203 

Broomfield lane, from n Ivlarlboro' st. to Common st. 

Brighton street, from the west end of Xeyerett to Pop- 
Jar street. 

Bulfinch street, south from Bowdoin square towards 
Beacon hiil,. and west into Middlecot st. 

Bulfinch place, between Bulfinch and Middle cot st. 

Bumstead place, Common street, near Broomfield lane.r 

Butolph street, from Cambridg-e st. to Myrtle street. 

Butlers row, from Merchants row to Spear's wharf. 

Carver street, from Pleasant street north across Elliot 
St. 10 the Burial ground. 

Castle street, across Orange street, from Charles river 
to Front st. 

Cambridge street, from Bowdoin square to West Boston- 
bridge. 

Central st. from 14 Kilby street to 5 India street. 

Central Court, between Nos 51 4* 52, Newbury st. 

Centre street (West) from Cambridge street near the 
bridge to Myrtle street. 

Centre street, (North) from Middle to 47 Ann street. 

Chauncy place, front of first Church, Summer street. 

Chesnut street, from Walnut street to Charles street 

Chamber street, from Cambridge street to Poplar st. 

Chardon lane, from Bowdoin square to Hawkins st. 

Charles street, from the west end of Beacon street, to 
West Foston bridge. 

Charter streel, from ?Tcrth street to Lynn street. 

Clark St. from New North meeting house to Ship st • 



-tj* , \;< 



204 'DBSCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

Columbia street, from Pond street near the meeting 

house to Essex street. 
Common street, from the King's Chapel past the Mall 

to Nassau street. 
Congress street from State street to Milk street. 
Cooks court, back of Latin School house. School street. 
Cornhill, from Marlboro' street to Market square. 
Cornhill square, between 58 and 59 Cornhill. 
Corn court, is opposite the south side of Faneuil Hall. 
Court street, from the Old State House to Bowdoin 
Court square, front of new court house. 

square. 
Crabb alley, from Liberty square to Broad street. 
Creek lane, from Marshall lane to Creek square. 
Creek square, south side Mill creek, back of Union and 

Ann street. 
Cross street crosses Middle, Back and Fish streets. 
Custom-house street, from 76 Broad street to 25 India 

street. 

Devonshire street, from 6 State st. to Milk st. 
Deming's court, between Nos 55 and 54 Newbury st 
Derne street, from Middlecot st, to Hancock street. 
Distillhouse square, from the bottom of Sudbury street 

north west to Hawkins street. 
Doane street, from 20 Kilby street to Broad street. 
Bock square, from Elm street, southward to Cornhill, 

and east ward to the corner oj^posite the west 

end of Faneuil Hall, including the block cf 

Stores in the centrcc 



©ESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. ^05 

Eaton street, from Russell to Chamber street. 
Elliot St. from 64 Orange st. to Pleasant street. 
Elm St. from Bock square to Hanover street 
Essex St. from 91 Newbury st. to South street. 
Essex place, in Elssex st. opposite Rainsford lane. 
Exchange street, from State st. to Dock square. 

Federal street, from Milk street past the Theatre to 

High street 
Federal Court, (South) between 9 and 10 Federal st 
Federal Court, (North) from Union and Hanover streets 

to the Mills. 
Fish St. from Cross st to Ship street. 
Fleet St. from Universal Meeting-house to Fish st 
Foster st. from Charter st. to Lynn st. 
Franklin avenue, from the court house to Brattle square. 
Franklin st. from 47 Marlboro' st to 
Franklin place. 

Friend st from 14 Hanover st to Mill pond. 
Front St. from Rainsford lane to South bridge. 

Garden st. from Cambridge st. to Myrtle st 

Garden Court, westside of North square to Fleet si. 

Gallop alley, from 23 Middle to Fish street 

Ge6rge street, from Cambridge st. near the bridge t* 

Chesnut street. 
Gibb's lane, from Washington place to Fort Hill wharf. 
GniTin lane, from High street to Liverpool wharf; 
Green st, from Bowdoin square to Chamber st. 
17 



<>06 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

Gndley lane, from High st. to Purchase st. 

Grove street, from West Boston Bridge to Pinqkney 6t 

Governor alley, from School street to- Broomfieid lane. 

Gouch lane, f om Green st. to Mill pond. 

Gibbon court, between 7 and 8 Newbury st. 

Hamilton place, Common st. opposite Park Church. 

Hamilton st. from Battery-march street to Washington 

place. 
Hanover street, from Court street to Middle st. 
Hancock street, from Summer street to Cambridge st. 
H.arvard street, from 91 Orange street to Front st. 
Hawkins street, from Sudbury street to Chardon lane. 
Haymarket-place, south side of Sheafe lane. 
Hawley street, from 4 Summer street to Milk st. 
Henchm.an lane, from Charter to Lynn st. 
Hio-h street, from Summer street to Washington place. 
Hoiiis street, from 54 Orange to Nassau st. 
Hull St. from Christ Church to Burial ground. 
India street, from Long wharf to India wharf. 

Jarvis row, between 76 and 77 Newbury street. 

Kingston street, from 24 Summer to Pond st. 

Kilby street, from State street to Liberty square. 

Kneeland street, from 83 Orange to Front street. 

Lendell lane, from Congress to Kilby st. 

Leverett street, from Green street to Central bridge. 

Leverett place, on cast side Leverett street near Green 
street. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 207 

Liberty square the junction ofKilby, Water and Adams 

streets. 
Lincoln street, from Summer to Essex street. 
Love lane, from North to Salem street. 
Lowell place, on the south side of Boylston street. 
Lynde street, from Cambridge to Green street. 
Lynn street, from Winnesimit ferrytvay to Charlestown 

bridge . 

Mason street, from West street to Sheafe^s lane. 
Margaret street, from Prince to Sheafe street. 
Market square, S. W. k North sides of Faneuii Halk 
Marlboro' street from Summer to School street. 
Marlboro' pla-'.o, back of 40 Marlboro' st. 
Marlboro' row, opposite old Province House. 
Marshall lane, from 24 Union to Hanover street. 
Merchants' Hall, Water street. 
May street, from S. Russell to Charles street. 
Marsh lane, from Union street to Creek square. 
May's court on west side Belknap street. 
Merchant's row, from State st, to Codman's wharf. 
Methodist alley, from North to Ship street. 
Middle street, Irom Mill creek to North street. 
Middlecot street, from Cambridge to Beacon street 
Milk street, from Old South to India street. 
Millpond street, from Middle street to Charleatown 

bridge. 
Moon street, irom North square to Fleefstreet. 



^0? DESCRIPTION OF B0ST01!<n 

Mount Vernon, buildings on north side of Olive street* 
Myrtle street, from Hancock to Charles street. 

3fa3sau street, from 45 Orange street to the Mall. 
TSfewbury street, from head of Essex to head of Summer 

street. 
JS'ewbury place, between 88 and 90 Newbury street. 
Worth street, from the Universal Meeting house to 

Winnesimit ferryway. 
IlSiTorth square, between Middle, Fish and Fleet streets. 
jiTorth row, in Fish street, corner of Cross street. 

Olive street, from Belknap to Charles street. 
Olirer street, from Milk street to Washington place. 
Orange street, from Washington to Newbury street. 
Old Statehouse, head of State street. 
Otis place, Summer street, opposite Kingston st. 

Park street, from head of Mall to Statehouse. 

Pearl street, from Milk to High street. 

Peck lane, from Essex street to wharf. 

Phillips' buildings, on Kilby and Water streets?. 

Pierce alley, from 77 State street to Market squar^. 

Pinckney street, from Belknap to Charles street. 

Pitt's lane, from Greene street to Mill pond. 

Pleasant street, from 35 Orange street to the Rope- 
walks. 

Pond street, 63 Newbury to Summer street. 

Poplaf street, from Chamber st. to Charles river. 

Portland street, from 19 Hanover street to the Mill 
pond* 



DESCRIPrrON OP BOSTO?i. 10^ 

Prince street, from 43 Middle street to Cbarlestown 

bridge. 
Proctor lane, from 28 Middle street to Fish slraet. 
Prospect street, from Leverett place to Mill pond. 
Purchase street, from Summer street to India wharf 

Quincj place, on north side High street, near Washing< 

ton place. 
Roebuck passage, from Town dock to Ann street. 
Rainstbrd lane, from Rssex to Front street. 
Richmond street, from 51 Middle to Backstreet. 
Ridgeway lane, from Cambridge to Derne street. 
Russell street, N. from Cambridge to Eaton street 
Russell street, S. from Cambridge to Myrtle street,, 
Robinson lane, from North to Unity street. 
Round lane, from Federal to Atkinson street. 

Salem street, from Prince to Charter street. 
Salt lane, from Union street to Creek square. 
Salutation alley, from North to Ship street. 
School street, from 76 Cornhill to the Chapel. 
Scot^ court, between 7 and 8 Union street.' 
,, Sea street, from Summer street to South street, includ 

ing the buildings on the new wharf at its Souths 

west end. 
Second street, opposite the Alm.s house. 
Sister street, from Round lane to Berry street. 
6he«kfc street from Salem to Snovvhill, street. 
J5heafe lane, from 15 Newbury to Comiaon gtreeti- ' 



204 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON, 

Ship street, from Fish street to Winnesimit ferryway. 

Short street, from Pond to the Glass works. 

Suowhiil street, from Prince street across Copps hill, to 

Charter street. 
South street from Summer street opposite High street. 
South row, in Marlboro' street opposite School street. 
Southac street, from Butolph, across Garden, Centre, 

and Grove streets, to George street. 
Southac court, from Court to Bulfinch street. 
Somerset street, from Beacon street to Southac court. 
Somerset place, from Somerset to Bulfinch street. 
Somerset court, near South end of Somerset street 
Spriig street, from x\lms house to Poplar street. 
Spring lane, from 1 Cornhill to Devonshire street. 
State street, trom Old State house to Long wharf. 
Staniford street, from Cambridge street across Green 

street to Leverett place. 
Suffolk place, on the east side Newbury street, at 67. 
Suffolk buildings, corner of Congress and State street. 
South Bennet place, near East end of South Bennet 

street. 
Sumner street, from Beacon s!reet, back of the Stat 

house. 
Summer street, from Marlboro' street to Bill Vose's 

wharf. 
Sudbury street, from Concert hall to Portland street. 
Suncourt street, from North square to Fish street. 
Sweetser court, on east side of Newbury street, at 81. 



i 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 211 

Temple street, from Cambridge street to Beacon hill. 
Theatre alley, from Milk street to rear of Theatre. 
Town dock, between Codman's k Wheaton's wharfs. 
Tremont street, from the Chapel to Southac court. 
Tremont place, opposite the Chapel Tremont street. 
Tador's buildings, next the Court house. Court street* 

Union street, from Market square to Mill pond. 
Unity, street, from Charier street to Love lane. 

Vine street, from N. Russell, across Blossom street. 

Walnut street, from Beacon to Olive street. 
Warren street, from 39 Orange, to Elliot street. 
Washington street, from Ofange street over the neck. 
Washington place, includes all the buildings round the' 

walk on Fort hill. 
Water street, from 4 Cornhill, to Liberty square. 
Well street, from Custom Jiouse street^ across Bread to 

Wharf street. 
West street, from 32 Newbury street, to the Mall, 
West row, on Court street, near Bowdoin square. 
Wharf street, from 100 Broad street to India street 
Whitebread alley, from North to Ship street. 
Winter street, from 48 Newbury street to the Mall. 
Williams court, through the arch at 65 Cornhill. 
Wilson lane, from 78 State street, to Dock square^ 



ftn DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

Wharfs, 

Balch's opens between 22 and 23 Ann-street. 

Barne's on each side Purchase-street, north Fort fiiil 
wharf. 

Barrett's opens between 27 and 28 Ann-street. 

Battery, Ship-street, opposite Battery alley, 

Bicknell's opens between 13 and 14 Fish-street-- 

Central wharf, between Long and India wharfs. 

Codman's south side Town dock. 

Cotting's, on the east side Leverett-street.. 

Dillaway's Purchase-street, next south of Russia^ 

Eustis' opens at 19 Ann-street. 

Fort hill wharf, 3d north of LiTerpooI. 

Foster's atf south end of Broad-street next Rowe's._ 

Green's opens at 1 1; Merchants row, 

Hancock opens at 45 and 51 Fish-stieet. 

India, at the south end of India-street. 

Liverpool, Purchase-street, opposite Griffin lane. 

Lewis' opens at 44 Fish-street. 

Long, at the ea^t end of State-street. 

Lincoln & Wheelwright's, Purchase-street, se.coftd jaorth 
of LivierpooL . ■ ,^-, ;^,., jt^vr 

Otis^^'Purchase-str.eet, secon:d south, of Foster's. 

Philadelphia Packet wharf, north side Town dock, en- 
trance 15 Ann-street. 

Rhoades', Ship-street, north of Union wharf. 

Howes', east end of ^road-street, next India wharfi 



I 



DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 213^ 

Russia, Purchase-street, oppo<?ite Atkinson street. 

Sargent's, Ship-street, opposite Clark-street. 

Snow's, Ship-street, next north of Hancock. 

N. Spear's, nest south of Codroan's. 

D<. Spear's, next north of Long wharf. 

G. Spear's, Purchase-street, next Liverpool wharf. 

vSwett's, between 8 and 9 Fish-street. 

T, opens between 46 and 47 Long wharf. 

Tiieston, Purchase-street, near Summer-street. 

Union, Ship-street, south of Rhoades' ship ^i^a^d. 

Wheeler's, at 20 Fish-street. 



8U DESCRIPTION OP UOSTOX. 

Puhlic Biiild<n:rs, 



o 



New state-house. The corner stone of thi? superb 
edifice was laid with great ceremony, July 4th, 1795. 
The stone was drawn to the spot by fifteen white horses 
and was laid by the Governor, assisted by the Grand 
Blasters of Lodges. A silver plate engx-aved with the 
names of the depositors, and many pieces of current 
money, were first deposited under ^he stone. 

The new State-Hou^e is an oblong building", one hun- 
dred and seventy -three feet front, and sixty-one deep-, 
it consists externally of a basement story, twenty {eei 
high, and a principal story thirty feet, This in the 
centre of the front, is covered with an attic sixty feet 
wide, twenty feet high, which is covered with a pedi- 
ment. Immediately above this rises a dome, fifty feet 
diameter, and thirty high ; the whole terminates with an 
elegant circular lanthorn supporting an elegant pine 
cone, an emblem of one of our principal staples. The 
basement story is finished plain on the wings with square 
windows. The centre is ninety-four feet in length, 
and formed of arches which project fourteen feet ; they 
form a covered walk below; and support a colonade of 
Corinthian columns ot the same extent above. The 
outside walls are of large patent bricks, with white mar- 
ble fascias, imposts, and keystones. The lower story h 



DESCRIPTION GF BOSTON. 215 

divided into a large, hall or public walk in the centre, 
Hfty-fiYf^ faet sqqare, and twenty high, supported by 
Borick columns ; two entries^ each sixteen feet wide, 
with two iiig-hts of stairs in each ; and at the ends, ofS- 
Cv^s for the Treasurer, Secretary, Adjutant and Quar- 
ter Master General. The rooms above are, the Repre- 
sentatives r^)om, in the centre, fifty-five feet square, 
the corners formed into niches for fire places ; this 
room is finished with Dorick columns on the sides, at 
twelve feet from the floor, forming a gallery ; the 
Dorick entablature surrounds the whole ; from this 
spring four flat arches on the side, which being united 
b}-^ a circular cornice al'.ove, form in the angles four 
large pendants to a bold and well proportioned 
dome. The pendants are ornamented with 
trophies of Commerce, Agriculture, Peace and War. 
The dome is finished in compartment? of stucco in a 
style of simple elegance. The centre of the dome is 
fifty feet from the floor. The seats for the members 
are ranged semicircularly, and the speaker's chair in 
the face of the whole. Since the room was finished, 
five light additional galleries have been erected for the 
accommodation of the members. 

North of the centre room is the Senate chamber, 
fifty-five feet long, thirty three wide, and thirty high, 
highly finished in the lonick order ; two screens of col- 
umns, support with their entablature a rich and ele- 
gant arched ceiling. This room is also ornameated 



216 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

with lonick pilasters, and with arms of the State, and of 
the United States, placed in oppositepannels. It is 
accommodated with a gallery for public use. 

The Council chamber is on the opposite quarter of the 
building, it is twenty-seven feet square, and twenty high 
with a flat ceiling ; the walls are finished with Corinthian 
pilasters, and pannels of stucco ; these pannels are enrich- 
ed with the Slate arms, with emblems of executive pow- 
er, the scale and sword of justice, and the insignia of 
arts and freedom, the Caduceus and cap of Liberty ; 
the whole decorated with wreaths of cak and laurel. 
Besides these principal rooms, there are about twenty 
smaller plainly finished for the use of committees. 

The stairs are spacious, and two flights of them 
lead to the top of the outer dome, one hundred 
and seventy steps from the foundation. This flight 
affords an uninterrupted view cf one of the finest scenes 
in nature. Indeed the beauty and advantages of this 
situation, which induced the Legislature tc make choice 
cf it for the present building, are acknowledged !>} both 
natives and foreigners. It vies with the most pictur- 
esque scne? in Europe, and will bear comparriscn v\ith 
the castle hill cf Edirluig, the famous bay of I^iaples, 
or an}' other most con^mnnding prospect. 

The fcuiidati* n of iLis bi:ilc i g is al ort rre hundred 
feet above the le\ el of the ha: (kp, and its elevation 
and size make it a very c(/rsj ici-rus object. It is about 
sixty feet above the level ol the Biaii, aud from this its 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 217 

a ted the building to the most honourable pursuits — the 
honour of God, and the People's good. 

The whole cost of the building amounted to ^133,- 
333,33. 

The New Alms HorsE at West Boston, is an oblong 
Ijuilding pleasantly situated on the bank of Charles 
river, measuring 270 feet front, and 56 deep. It con- 
sists of a base story, which is divided into three large 
kitchens, and a number of commodious rooms, which 
are improved for work-shops and other purposes. A- 
bove are three upright stories, which give forty eight 
rooms, 24 by 22 teet ; four staircases, 10 feet in width, 
leading through the several stories. In the centre is a 
hall 40 feet by 50, and a chapel above of the same di- 
mensions ; each of them being about 15 feet in height- 
The large arched windows are finished with fluted pil- 
asters of the Ionic order. The outside walls are of large 
bricks, with white marble facias imposts and key-stones, 
and the roof covered vvith slate. Feur brick partitions 
run through the building, in which stand the chimnies, 
containing a funnel for every room. The whole build- 
is enclosed with brick walls and handsome gates. The 
front and rear yards are 80 by 280 feet In the rear 
of the building is a convenient bathing house with many 
other appendages. The sewers and drains lead into 
Charles river. The north front is finished in the same 
manner as the south front, and commands a beautiful 

prospect of Charles riyer, aftd the whole town of 
19 



S18 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

Charleslown, as the south front does of West Boston 
bridge, and a great part of the town of Cambridge. 

The Alms House is a noble monument of the mu- 
nificence of the town, affording the poor shelter, food 
and clothing ; but it is not calculated for the purpose of 
an Hospital. 

There are in it at this time, [1816] 458 subjects ; of 
which 144 are invalids, requiiing medical advice and 
assistance, besides 19 maniacs, of whom six are con- 
lined in cells, into which the light of heaven can scarce- 
ly aniQw The Overseers have long contemplated a 
change of their situation, which is now likely to be ef- 
fected. The exertions making in this town, and which 
v\\\\ soon pervade the State, will lead to the establish- 
men' of the Massachusetts General Hospital for the 
sick, on the ground west of the Aims-House whari, in a 
line with Cragie's bridge, extending to the channel. 
This situation will be open to the refreshing breezes 
from the south and west, the most pleasant winds of 
our country ; and has peculiar local advantages from its 
])roximity to the rapid waters of Charles river. The 
building will be erected of Chelmsford stone, and the 
''I'ruslees will endeavor make it every way worthy of 
the State whcsc respectable name it will bear. 

The Massachusetts Medical College is situated in 
Mason street, near the Boston Common and Mall. The 
building is brick, 80 feet in length, and 43 in its greatest 
brea(]|.h. Ifs figure is oblong with a pediment in front, 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 2li} 

and an octajonal caatre cWm^ above tha roof, and also 
fofdiing a three sided projection in the rear of the buiUl-- 
ing. Tiiis is surmoaaied b/ a doms, with a skylight 
and bailustrade, ^Ivm^; an ap^j'^^iniice of elegance to 
the neatness and tit proportions of the builhni^. 

The apartments on the iir-t iloor are a spacious Med- 
ical Lecture room of a square form, '^Tith ascendiiig- sem- 
icircular seats ; a large Chcmi':al Lecture room in the 
c<:ntre, of an octagonal form, with ascending seats ; a 
Chemical Laboratory, iitted up with cases and accom 
modations for the costly apparatus used in the lecturer ; 
and a room to be occupied by the Massachusetts i^Iedi- 
Cal Society, which is titied by a Medical Library, alrea- 
dy consisting of 3 or 40CU voii.mes. In the second itory 
is the anatomical theatre, tijo mo-L expensive room, oc- 
upying the whole central part of the building, cover- 
ed with the dome and skylight ; with semicirculac 
seats ivhich are entered from above and descend regu- 
larly toward the centre. In this theatre are placed a 
beautiful statue of the Venus of ivledici, and a noble cast 
of the Apollo of Belvidera dccsigned to illustrate the ex- 
ternal forms of the human body. A large and a small 
room for the muicum, cccupy the extremities of iho. 
same story. 

The whole building is warmed by a single stove ali- 
uated in the celia , calculated by the invertor* for 
burning the Rhode-Island coal. Owing to the sirtalK 

■* Mr. Jacob Perkij's, 



22(J UESCKiri'IOlN OF BOSTON. 

iiess of its draught, it burns this coal in great perfection, 
keeping- up a permanent and intense lieat. The stove 
i3 surrounded by a brick chamber from which a bri^-k 
flue is carried up to the second story, commnT^icaiing by 
large pipes or apertures with all the principal rooms 
of the house. The air is admitted from the outside of 
the building, through a brick passage way down to the 
M:ove ; a portion of it goes to maintain the combustion ; 
the rest being rarilied by the heat of the stove, as- 
sends rapidly through the flue, and may be deliverei at 
pleasure, into any or all the apartments, by opening 
the pipes or communications. The stror»g current of 
heated air thus obtained is sumcient to warm the larg-- 
C5t rooms irr a \ery short space of time. 

A cistern of water ib- placed near the roof, which iS 
supplied by pumps frcra a well in the cellar, and may 
be drawn out for use hy pipes communicating be lev;'. 

Fanueil Hall. In the year 1740, Peter Fan uielj 
j^lsq. an opulent merchant of the town of Boston, made 
■fen cfi'er to the town to build at his expense a ccmmodir 
ous Market-] louse, near Dock Square, where provisions 
were then exposed for sale. The proposal was thank- 
fully received, and the building was immediately com- 
menced. In the progress of the w^ork the liberal donor 
' was induced to make an addition of a large hall over 
the market-house, lor the public meetings, and for trans- 
actina: the business of the town. The whole was com- 
pletcd in au:o3t substantial and elegant manaer, in Sep- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. t:2i 

tember, 1742. We find by tbe town records, that a 
meeting was held in the hall on the 13th day of thaf 
month, when, alter a long and particular preamble, the 
following- votes were passed : — 

TJiat the town do, with the utmost gratitude, receive 
and accept this most generous and noble benefaction, foi»' 
the uses and intentions it is designed for, and do appoint 
the Hon. Thomas Cushing^ Esq. the moderator of this 
meeting, the Honorable Adam Winthrop. Edward Hutch- 
hison^ Ezekifl Le-xls Samuel Waldo., Thomas Hutchlnso:}.) 
Esquires, the Selectmen and Representatives of the 
town of Bost(m ; — the Flon. Jacob JVe7ideU^ Jaw.es Boii)- 
doin^ Andrezi' Oliver Capt. A'ath. Chardon and Charles 
Apthorp.^ Esqr's, to wait on Peter Faiieuil, Esq. in the 
name of the Town, to render him their most hearty 
thanks for so bountiful a gift, with their prayers, that 
this, and other expressions of bis bounly and charity 
may be adundantly recompensed with the divme blessing 
It was then voted unanimously, 

That in testimony of the town's gratitude to the said 
Peter Faneuil, Esq. and to perpetuate his m3mory 
that the hall over the market place, be named Fanulel- 
Ilall, and to be at ail times hereafter called and known 
by that name. 

Mr. Faneuil did not long survive to enjoy these hon- 
ors, or the gratitule of of his townsman : In sis month > 
after, on the 14th of tlie following month of March, the 
lawn was again assembled in I he new hall, on occasi' ji 
3^* 



-2%'Z DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

of his death, to pay their respects to his memory, when 
an elegant and pathetic oration was delivered at the re- 
quest of the town, by Mr. John Lovell, master of the 
latin grammar school. The following extract may ex- 
hibit an elegant specimen of the oration, and convey an 
exalted idea of the subject of the eulogy : — 

" To express your gratitude to your generous ben- 
-p factor, you have passed the most honourable resolves ; 
and to preserve his memory, you have called this house 
by his name. But in vain, alas ! would you perpetua- 
d'C his memory by such frail materials: these walls ^ 
tJic present monuments of his fame, shall moulder intc 
dust; these foundations, however deeply laid, ghall 
])e forgotten ; but his deeds, his charities shall survive 
the ruins of nature ; and to have relieved the miseries 
of the distressed, to have stifled the cries of the or- 
phan, and to have diied the widow's tears^ are acts that 
shall embalm his memory for many generations on 
earth, and shall follow him beyond the limits of mor- 
tality into those blissful regions where endless charity 
dwells. 

" What now remains, but my ardent wishes (in which 
I know you will all concur with me) that this, hajl 
may be sacred to the interests of truth, of justice, of 
loyalty, of honor, ol liberty ; may no private views nor 
party broils ever enter within these walls ; but may 
the same public -spirit that glowed in the breast of the 
general founder, influence all your debates, that society 
may reap the benefit of them." 



DESCRIPTION or BOSTON. 22S 

"In 1761, the inside wood work and roof of the build 
ing were consumed by fire, one of those distressing cas- 
ualties by which the town of Boston has been often vis- 
ited ; measures were immediately taken for repairing 
the building, and the expense was defraj^ed by a lotte- 
ry granted by the General Court for tlie purpose. 
From this period the history of Faneuil Hall is intim-- 
ately connected with that of our country ; it was the 
theatre on which Lee, Otis, Q,uincy, Bowboi.\, the 
Adams', Hancock, and other patriots, exerted their tal- 
ents, to impress on a people jealous of their rights, the 
necessity of vigilance against foreign encroachments 
and domestic duplicity ; and became the centre whero 
resolutions were formed and measii'es were adoptecf, 
which quickly spread with pervading influence round 
the wide circle of the State and Continent ; and tei^ 
minated in the establishment of American Independence. 

Although the Hall was sufficient for a number of 
years, for the transaction of the ordinary business of the 
town, yet on eyevy interesting occasion, when great 
numbers of the inhabitants were assembled, it became 
necessary to adjourn to some larger building ; and the 
Old' South Church being spacious' and conveniently 
situlated, the proprietors of thiit house willingly allowed 
the town the use of it, on all occasions of great politic* 
al importance ; but upon the increase of population, 
and the frequent occurrence of questions of a local na-- 
ture, which however interested and called together 
great numbers of the citizens, the proprietors of the 



^U i)ESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

places of i^ublic worship became unwilling to admit 
such large numbers to the free use of their buildings. 

The town being thus destitute of suitable accommo- 
dations for those large assemblies of people, \vhich the 
nature of its government and the habits of its citizens 
rendered frequent and necessary ; the Selectmen, in 
Ma3% 1005ofiered to the town a plan for the enlarge- 
ment of Faneuil HalL which was accepted, and they 
were directed to carry it into eifect. The work pro- 
ceeded with uncommon dispatch, and without any unfa- 
vorable accident, and in tu elve months was completed, 
we believe to very general satij'faction It has evidently 
been the aim of the rgents to conform the outside addi- 
tions to the original style of the building, to make it a u- 
niform and consistent pile, Thp croat hall is T'S Copt 
square, an ' 28 feet sig'i, -vith galler'e f ' ■'^^e des up- 
on doric columns; the ceiling su | ct' d by 2 rc.ai^.iS 
of Ionic columns ; the v/ails enricii -^ viin ■ i.asiers and 
the windows with r:.hilraves, &lc. . F'latforms under 
and in lii-^ galleries rise amphilbeatrically to accommo- 
date spectators, and from trials already made it appears 
favorable for sight and sound. 

The west end is decorated by an original whole length 
painting of WASHINGTON, by Stuart, presented by 
•Samuel Parkinan, Esq. and another painting of the same 
size, b}^ Col. Henry Sargoit^ r'^presenting Peter. Fanueil,. 
Esq. in full length, copied from an original! of smaller 




KHSRAVtu Ir'OK Tue US&rOKY uF BOSTON. 



UtLMKk itbMt.Np fMINT. 



OLD STATE HOUSE. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 225 

Above the great hall is another 76 feet long and 30 
.wide, devoted to the exercise of the ditTerent military 
corps of the town, with a nuvnber of aparlmenls on each 
side for depositing the arm? and military eq^iipments, 
where those of the several companies are arrang- 
ed and kept in perfect order. 

The building also contains convenient oilfices for the 
Selectmen, Board of Health, Assessors, and town Trea- 
surer. The lower story is appropriated, according to 
the original intention as a market, and the cellars are 
leased for various purposes of business. The income 
of the stalls and cellars produce a permanent and hand- 
some interest upon the money expended on the eniarg- 
raent. 

Old State House.] The building first erected fop- 
governmental business, was placed at the head of 
King-street, and was consumed by fire, in 1711. in the 
year following, a new brick building v.as raised on the 
same spot, and met a like fate on the 9th of December^ 
1747 ; Vvhen some of the records, and ether public pa- 
mpers were destroyed. It was repaired in the year fol- 
lowing in its present form, and is in length one hundred 
and ten feet, in breadth thirty eight feet, and three 
stories high. On the centre of the roof is a tower, con- 
sisting of three stories, finished according to the Tuscan, 
Dorick, and lonick orders. From the upper story is an 
extensive prospect of the harbor, into ^le bay, and oi 
the country adjacent. 



226 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

The lower floor of the building" servei lor a covered 
v/alk for any of the iahabitaats. Qa this Ooor were kept 
the offices of the clerks of the Sii.)renie Judicial Court 
andCourt of Common Pleas. The cha.iibers ov;'i' it 
were occupied by the General Court, the senato in 
one, and the representative body in the opposite cham- 
ber. The third story was appropria ed for the use of 
the committees of the General Court. On the lower 
floor were ten pillars of the Dorick order, which sup- 
ported the chambers a( cu['ied by the Legislature. 
This building is in Cornhill, one miie two hundred and 
seventy-nine yards from Washington-street, the late 
fortification entrance from the neck into the town. 

County Gaol.] It is vith reiuctance we atte:npt to 
give a description of this ediiice ; as we must conicnt 
ourselves with a brief state uent niide by the author of 
the Description of boston, and published in the iliird 
volume of the coilectii ns of the Historical Society, or 
mortify our pride us citizens of Boston an 1 the county 
of yuffolk. But as we arc to give a Picture of Boston:, 
the drawing must be complete, though some shades may 
necessarily be introduced, where the painter might 
wish colours of a less scm ^re cast. The State House, 
Marke ts, Medical College, Alms House, and the New 
Court House, are no iess remarkable for tiieir maguiii- 
cence and convenience than as monuirients of the taete 
and libera ity of the town. Ma^ we not e allowed to 
•express the hope that the necessity of erecting a Gaol 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOiN*. 227 

on a new, enlarged and commodious plan, will engage 
(he attention of the courts of this influential and import* 
ant county. The Gael is an old stone buHding, situat- 
ed between the eld and new Court Houses, and occu- 
pies the ground where formerly stood a wooden build- 
ing called the Debtors Gaol, its length is 90 feet, its 
breadth 23 feet^ and is four stories high. The first and 
seccond stories, each contains six cells, with one doubly 
grated window in each, these are appropriated to crim- 
inal?. The floors, walls and ceiling are cased with oak 
plar.k and secured jy Iron Bars ; — there being no Era- 
places the cells are warmed by charcoal lighted in pots. 
The third story is divided into live apartments with win_ 
dows in the front and rear, which are secured with iron 
gratings, and are accommodated with giazed sashes ; 
these rooms have fire places, are plaisterod, and are 
perhaps, as commodious as the locked appartments ap- 
propriated to debtors, in any gaol in the commonwealth, 
The upper story is appropriated to the liberty debt- 
ors, and contains nine convenient and airy rooms, pleas- 
antly situated and well tani^hed. The average number 
of persons confined in this prison, is about 60, the great- 
er part for small offences, petty larcenies, assaults and 
battery, he. The number, formerly, was much greater 
but the wise interposition of the legislature, in giving 
the Municipal Court concurrent jurisdiction in criminal 
cases, capital oilences excepted, ©perates as a Gaol de. 



^■28 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

livery every month, which is not only a saving of 
expense, but agreat convenience to the county. 

By the present code of criminal law, for the most 
trifling offence of assault and battery, fines are imposed 
and very frequently on that pitiful, miserable class, who, 
being unable to pay, are obliged to remain in prison 
ninety days ; a punishment seldom exceeded for the 
first conviction of simple larceny, to a considerable a- 
mount. We may be allowed also to express our hopes 
that a wise Legislature will provide for this evil a rem- 
edy. 

Notwithstanding the unwholesome mode of warming 
the criminals' rooms, and the inconvenience experienc- 
ed for want of proper necessaries for carrying off the 
filth, the Prison is generally the abode of health. A- 
mong the criminals there has been but three deaths in 
seven years, and two of those by suicide ; and of the 
debtors only two have died in that time. 

The upper story which contributes so much to the 
accommodation of liberty-debtors, was added a few ye'ars 
pa st, at the instigation of the present keeper of the 
prison. 

Boston Theatre. 1 he exterior is a plain brick build- 
ing. The walls are the only remains of what was con- 
sidered one of the ornaments of the town. It was burnt 
do^vn in he year 179?. The same year the present 
interior was finished, m hich for neatness and chastity of 
desigta, is not excelled by any on the continent. It 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 2^0 

■CGntaiiis three rows cf boxes unsupported by pillars, 
which anfords the audience a fair view of every part of 
the stage. The lobbies are commodious, and the facili- 
ties for filling and emptying the Theatre are admirably 
planned for safety and convenience. It will hold 
twelve hundred dollars, but the receipts have often been 
greater. The ho3y of the building is 128 feet long and 
60 feet wide, with a Portico of brick, in front of Fede- 
ral street, over which is the Refreshment-Room. 

The season commences regularly about the first 
Monday in October, and is continued open till the latter 
end of May. It is conducted under the joint manage- 
ment of Messrs. Powell and Dickenson. The dressing- 
rooms. Wardrobes, &c. are in a brick building adjoin- 
ing, and are connected to the body cf the Theatre by 
iron doors, which make them fire proof. A great part 
of the machinery and stage apparatus is kept in a 
building not connected with the Theatre. 

Boston Exchange Coffee House. — This is the most 
capacious building, and most extensive estabhshment of 
the kind in the United States ; and Ihe various altera- 
tions which during the past year have been effected for 
the public accommodation may justly deserve to be 
mentioaed with approbation. 

The early history of this structure, is that of an un- 
successful speculation, which involved individuals in 
ruin, and seriously injured a large class of the communi- 
ty. It is about twelve or fifteen years since the pr<>- 

20 



230 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

jpct for erecting this building was commenced, and 
which was unfinished when it failed ; having cost the 
projector, and through him the public, upwards of five 
hundred thousand dollars. 

The Exchange Coffee -House is an immense pile of 
building, seven stories in height, with a cellar under the 
whole, and covering 12,753 square feet of ground. Its 
shape is an irregular square, or that of an irregular tri- 
angle cut off at the acute angle, measuring 132 feet in 
its broadest front, and on]y 94 feet on its narrowest, 
from which the line of the sides diverge nearly equally. 
The exterior of this building is not in the very best 
etyle of architecture ; it being too high and dispropor- 
tioned. 

The front in Congress street is highly ornamented. 
Sis marble pillasters of the Ionic order upon a rustic 
basement support an architrave and cornice of the same, 
and the whole front, which has an arched door way, is 
crowned with a corinthian pet^iment. It is difficult on 
account of the narrowness of the street, to see this side 
of the structure to any advantage. There is one en- 
trance on this side ; and enothcr towards State street 
through an Ionic perch or vestibule. There is also a 
private entrance for the lodgers in the Hotel on Sal- 
ter's C'cmt^ which has lately been rendered haiidsome 
and conveni«nt, having a passage for the ingress and 
egress of carriages. From this door there is a circu- 



DE5CRIPTI0X OF BOSTON 231 

]arstali'-caj8, elegantly decorated, which leads without 
interruptica to the attic story. 

Upon entering the house, you stand on an interior 
area seventy {eet in length and forty ieej wide, in the 
form of a parallelogram, which is lighted from the top 
hy m3aas of a magaificent dom3. Around this area is 
extended a portico, or rather several porticos, each con- 
sisting of twenty columns, which reach from the ground 
floor to the roof, and support five galleries leading to 
the diiT2rent apartmsn's. The height of the top of the 
dome from the floor is eighty-three feet. Here is aa 
assemblage of the diiT:;rent orders of architecture, from 
the ornaiiieatil doric to the corthinian, which produces 
a very agreeable impression upon the eyes of the spec- 
tator, as he passes from the dome which surmounts 
the whole, to the floor upon which he stands. The 
interior space is as" nearly as possible equi-distant from 
the sides of the structure ; and the apartments which 
surround it upon the various stories amount to about one 
hundred and seventy. 

The house is divided into two species of rooms ; those 
which belong to the hotel, and those which are rented 
for offices and shops to individuals. The basement 
story consist? chiefly of an extensive kitchen, private 
lodging rooms, larder, and the cellars — which, with 
some ofiices that are entered from the street, comprise 
all the apartments it contains. 



232l DESCRIPnON OF BOSTON. 

The princii)al iloor was originally intended for a 
public Exchang'e, which desig-ii never u'as ervecuted, as 
the merchants from long habit, prefer to stand in the 
street, even during the inclement winter months. A 
public reading room, with a very large list of su;)3cri- 
bers, is also upon this lloor, where the lodgers in the 
hotel have the privilege of resorting, and in which is 
vegularly kept a journal of the most interesting oc- 
currences of the times, ^viiether of a political or com- 
mercial nature. Here maybe seen a complete list of 
arrivals and clearances of the port of Boston, and the 
public journals both of Europe and America. A con- 
venient Coffee room, a Bar and withdrawing room for 
boarders, are also on liHSiioor; besides various apart' 
Clients occupied by publick incorporations and private 
individuals. 

The second floor is chiefly devoted to the hotel, upon 
the Southern side of which is a dining room sufficiently 
spacious to adnnit tables for three hundred persons ; 
about fourteen other apartments compri-:e the v/hole of 
the second story. 

The thi.d and fourth floors belong to the tavern. 
An arched bail-room finished with great taste in the 
Corinthian order of achitecture extends through both 
stories ; and is placed immediately over the large din- 
ing hall. The other apartments 011 these floors are 
either connected with the ball room, or are lodg-lng 
(:han\bcrs belonging to the establishment. 



0ESCRTPTION OF BOSTON, 233 

Upon the northern side of the fifth and sixth floors, 
a large Masonic Hall lias been lately constructed, form- 
ed from a large number of lodging rooms, and which 
were included in the apartments which we have just 
enumerated. The other rooms are appropriated for 
lodging chambers, with the exception of an observatory 
on the sixth floor, which is connected with the news 
room below, and where good telescopes are deposited 
for the use of the subscribers. 

This Coffee-House has undergone an almost intire 
renovation within a short period of time, and the 
praise, which both inhabitants and strangers unite in 
awarding to the hotel, confers upon it a reputation 
which is not surpassed, 'if it be equalled by any similar 
establishment in the United Stales. 

Custom House.] This building stands on the north 
side of Custom House-street, near the head of Central 
wharf. It is 60 feet square and tvvo stories in hplo-Ki- 
exclusive of th^ I>a3cment, which is divided by brick 
walls and brick arches supporting the different passages 
above. The lower part of the front is built of stona 
and the upper part of brick, with a colonade 60 feet 
long and 10 feet wide supported by 10 stone columns of 
the Doric order, fourteen feet in length. The floor is 
paved with stone, and a broad flight of stone steps with 
iron railings leads to the several offices. It is finished 
with a stone frieze and cornice, and the windows orna- 
mented with marble dressings. The front is crowned 

SO* 



^34 DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 

by a pediment, on the top of which, is a spread eagl<j. 
The basement and first story is calculated for the storing 
of g"ood3, and contains a number of compartments occu- 
pied by the house-keeper, and some of the under ofli- 
cers. The upper stor}^ contains 6 rooms 20 feet high. 
in which the business of the office is transacted. The 
building ii remarkably well contrived for th.e conven- 
ience of business, and exhibits a chaste and elegant 
specimen of architecture, it cost about thirty thousand 
dollars. 

Mercha?%ts' Hai.l,] Is situated at the corner of Con- 
gress and ^VaLe^-slreets ; it is a large plain building of 
brick, four stories in height. On the lower floor is the 
Post Office, a large Auction Room, Insurance Office and 
a News Room, which for its utihty deserves a particular 
description. 

This establishment is supported by subscribers, con- 
sisting- chiefly of the first Merchants in the place. The 
annual subscription is ;^iu, ,^iih the right of introducing 
a triend, from any place, not within 6 miles of the town. 
The room is furnished with all the principal papers in 
the United States, as well as foreign papers, prices cur- 
rent, kc :— Also seven books— the 1st is for the general 
record of news, on which is recorded daily, all informa- 
tion of a general nature, and such as is particularly in- 
teresting to the Merchants of the place, as may be re- 
ceived from correspondents, by land or water, and by 
arrivals at the port ; the 2d is for the record of all ar- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 535 

iivah frOQi foreign ports, or place?, with the cargoes 
pariicuiai'Iy specified to each consignee •, the 3d for 
the record of all arrivals from other ports in the Unit- 
ed States similarly noted as the 2d ; the 4th for the re 
cord of all vessels cleared for foreign ports, time of 
sailing, &c. the 5th for the record of all vessels cleared 
for other ports in the United States the 6th for the 
record of all arrivals and clearances, from or for foreiga 
ports, in all ports of the United States, except Boston ; 
and the 7th for the record of the names of all Gentleman 
introduced by the subscribers, the places whence they 
came and the name of the subscriber introducing them. 
In the room are also several of the mt)st important maps, 
necessary or useful to the ship owner or Merchant ; and, 
a good clock. Attached to this establishmerjt is a boat 
with two men ready at all times, for the Superintend- 
ent, who generally boards all vessels arriving in the port, 
and all such information as he may obtain from them is 
recorded on the seierai books above mentioned, as soon 
as possible for the benefit of the subscribers and all those 
y/ho have the privilege of frequenting the room. — 
Connected with the establishment is a signal staff, on 
Fort Independence, attended by a person, at the ex- 
pence of the institution, who is constantlj^ on the look- 
out, and a signal displayed on the moment a vessel is 
discovered bound into the port An Agent is also em- 
ployed at the Vineyard, during the winter months, to 
collect and forward by mail and other conveyance, a 



230 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

list of the numerous vessels, which generally make a 
harbor there, bound to the northward and eastward, to- 
gether with such information as they may be able to 
furnish. This branch of the establishment is very im- 
portant, and the Merchants generally have appreciated 
it as such, by the patronage they have manifested, in 
support of the establishment. 

BoYLSTON Market,] Is situated at the corner of Or- 
ange and Boylston Streets, was so named in honor of 
Ward Nicholas Boylston, Esquire. The proprietors 
were incorporated Feb. 27, 1809, and the foundation of 
the building was commenced in the April following. It 
is in length one hundred and twenty feet^ and in width 
fifty feet, of three stories with a deep cellar. On the 
first floor are twelve stalls for tire sale of provision. 
The second is separated by an avenue running length- 
wise, on the sides of which are four spacious rooms. 
The third story consist* of a hall one hundred feet in 
length with the entire width of the building. The cen- 
tral height of the ceiling is twenty-four feet. It con- 
tains an orchestra, and two convenient withdrawing 
rooms adjoining. 

The land belonging to the corporation was formerly 
owned by Samuel Wells, Esq. of whose heirs it was 
purchased by Mr. J. C. D^'^er, and by him conveyed to 
the present proprietors for ^20,560. The cost oC the 
building wa? about ^39,000, beside the cupola, which 



DESCRIPTION OP BOSTO-V. SSt 

was built by subscription The clock was a donation 
of Mr. Boylston. 

New GotJaT House,] Is one hua^ired and forty feet 
long, consists of an Octagon centre, tiftj^-iive feet wide, 
two stories, t\vo winjs of three stories, twenty-sis by 
fortj' feat connected by the entrance and passag'es to 
the centre ; contains two Court Rooms in the centre^ 
one smaller in one wing-, Probate Office, Register of 
Deeds, Clerks of Supreme and Comnjon Pleas Courts, 
Rooms for Judges and Law Librai-y, Rooms for Grand 
and Petit Juries. The cost of this building was 
g92,0l7 16. 

Churches,] 1632. The First Church or meeting 
house in Boston was begun in the month of August, 
this year, by the congregations of Charlestown and Bos- 
ton, according to Gov. Winthrop. It was a wooden 
building, set up in Cornhill. In seven years after, viz. 
1639, being out of repair, and also too small, the pro- 
prietors sold it and agreed to build another, but v.'here 
to piac-3 it caused contention among them. It \7as at 
length determined to build it near the marketplace. In 
the great fire 1711, it v/as consumed. The Old Brick 
was reared on the same ground the year following, and 
retains the name of the First Church. It is in height 
three stones. The upper galleries have been taken 
down. Above the second rano-e of windows is a Corin- 

O 

thian cornice, which supports four arches, which from 
ei\ch side of the v/alls terminate in an eblons- square in 



238 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

the centre. The gfalleries are supported by pillars of 
the Tuscan order. It has two iron fire stoves fixed in 
it. In this church was introduced the first organ ever 
admitted into a Congregational church in this town. 
Thirty or forty years ago, it would have been account- 
ed profanity to introduce instrumental music into public 
worship. 

These two accommodations are altogether novel in 
the New-England churches. This charch hath a good 
bell ; and in front of it is fixed the Town clock. 

Mather, in his Magnalia, has a question, " whether 
instrumental music may, lawfully, be introduced in the 
worship of God, in the churches of the New-Testa- 
ment ?" 

He says, " there is not one word of institution in the 
New Testament, for instrumental musick. And be- 
cause God rejects all he does not command in his wor- 
ship, he now, therefore^ in effect, says unto us I will 
not hear the melody of thy organs. But on the other 
side, the rule given doth abundantly intimate that no 
voice is now to be heard in the church, but what is sig- 
nificant and edifying by signification, which the voice 
of instruments is not. 

Under the Old Testament, we do not find it practiced 
in the synagogues of the Jews, but only in the Temple. 
It therein appears to have been a part of the ceremo- 
nial Pedagcgry which is row aboii?hed. And, where- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 239 

as, the common usage now hath confined ingtrumental 
music to Cathedrals, it seems therein too much to Ju- 
daize." He says it is a late invention and corruption 
and quotes Justin Martyr, Chrysostom, Thomas Aquinas 
and others. 

Extracts from the first Church Records. '^ The 24th 
of the same 6th month Robert Parker, who was excom- 
municated, the 6th of the 10th month i636, for scanda- 
lous oppression of his wive'*s children, in selling away 
their inheritance from them, and other hard usage 
both of her and them, was this day upon profes- 
sion of his repentance received again to the fellowship 
of the church." 

" Anne Walker the wife of one Richard Walker, fcc. 
having before this day (29th 2d month, 1638.) been 
often privately admonished of sundry scandalls, as of 
drunkenish, intemperate and unclean or wantonish 
behavior, also of manifold lyes, and still persisting im- 
penitently therein, was by joint consent cast out of the 
church." 

'• Our brother Richard Wayte, having purloyned out 
of buckskyn leather brought unto him, so much there- 
of as would make three men's gloves, to the scandall 
of sundry without as well as of his brethren, and also 
having been by some of the brethren dealt withall 
for it did often deny and forswear the same, without 
hearkening &c. ^vas therefore &c. cast out of the 
church. 



540 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

"(2Gtli 9th month 1639) being a flay of puhliqv.c 
fast for our congTeg-rition, our brother Mr. Robert 
Keayne was admonished by cur Pastor in the name 
of the church for selling his wares at excessive rates, 
to the dishonor of God's name, the offence of the 
General Court, and the pubhque scandal of the coun- 
try," 

("1340.) Our sister Temperance Jewete,rrife of 
&c» was by our Pastor (in the name of the Lord and 
with the consent of the congregation taken hy their 
siUnce) admonished for having received into her house 
and given entertainment unto disorderly company and 
ministering ucto them wine and strong waters, even 
unto drunkenness and that not without seme iniquity 
in the measure and practice thereof" 

1650. The Second Church, called the Old North, 
was built in North square. This church completed the 
number of thirty in the province to this date, and was 
gathered in Boston in 1649, according to an old book 
already quoted, which gives the following account of it. 
" By reason of the popularity [of the town,] there being 
too many to meet in one assembly, it was thought proper 
that the people inhabiting the same, [the N. E. part] 
should gather into a church body, and build a meeting- 
house for their assembly, the which they have already 
done, but not as yet called any one to office." This 
quotation is dated, 1648. 

This meeting-house was burnt. May 27, 1G76, and 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 241 

rebuilt the following year. It was demolished by 

order of Gen. Howe, commander of the British forces 

in Boston, in the siege of 1775. It Avas considered a 

model of the first architecture in New England. The 

date of its rebuilding is taken from the vane saved from 

the ruins after it was burnt. 

The present building is spacious and convenient, but 

.., uot remarkable for its architeclure. 

^:. Pastors. Date of orcfn. Decease, 

I John Mayo, uncertain. 

: Increase Mather, D. D. May, 27, 1669, Aug. 1723, s.i. 85. 

Cotton Mather, D. D. May 13, 1604, Feb, 13, 1728, mi. 65. 

Joshua Gee, Nov. 1723, May 22, 1748, x.t. 50. 

Samuel Mather, D. D. Nov. 1732.* 

Samuel Checkley, jun. Sept. 1747, March 19, 1768, .xt 44 

John Lathrop, D. D. May 18, 1768, Jan. 4, 1816, js.i. 77, 

Henry Ware, Jan, 1, 1817. 

Old South Church.] 1669. The Old South, is a spa- 
cious handsome brick building, in Marlborough-street, 
and was the third church built in the town. Some dis- 
satisfied brethren of the First Churchy separated from 
it on account of the Rev. Mr. Davenport's leaving his 
church at New-Haven for a settlement here, and erected 
this house. The inside of it was entirelv destroyed by 
a British regiment of dragoons, in 1775, and used by them 
as a riding school for their horse, the pews being taken 

* A separation in this society took place by mntual agree- 
ixnent, and some persons who withdrew with Dr. Mather, in 
1742, erected a plain wooden meeting-house, now standing-, 
at the corner of North Bennet-street. Mather, died ^m\<\ 
27, 1785. 

21 



^4^ DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

>ip, and the floors covered with earth. In 1782 it was 
elegantly repaired. On the west side is a handsome 
steeple of one hundred and eighty feet in height. In 
the tower, is the remainder ol" a hhrary of ancient books 
deposited there by the Rev. Mr. Prince. Many of the 
ancient books and manuscripts, deposited in the lower 
were destroyed (to use the language of the venerable 
Pemberton,) " by the Vandals of Britain.'' It has a clock 
made by Mr. Gawen Brown in Boston, esteemed one of 
the best in America. From the upper windows in the 
steeple, is a fine pTCsp<ict of the harbour, and part of the 

bay. 

Pastors. Date of ord''n. Decease. 

Thomas Thacher, Feb. lU, 1670, Oct. 15, lG78,5-t. 53. 

Samuel Willard, April 10, 1678, Sept. 12 1707, mt 68. 

Ebenczer Pemberton, Av.g. 28, 1700, Feb. 13, 1717, jeI. 45. 
Joseph Sewa!, D. D. Sept. 10, 1713, June £7, 1709, ^t. bQ. 
Thomas Prmce, Oct. 1, 1713, Oct. 22, 1758, mL 72. 

Alexander dimming:, Feb. 25, 1761, Aug. 25, 1763, iEt. 37. 
Samuel Blair, Nov. 19, 1766, dismissed by mutual consent, 

Oct. 10, 1769. 
John Bacon, Sept. 25, 1771, do. Feb. 8, 1775. 
John Hunt. Sept. 25, 1771, Dec. 30, 1775, jeI. 31. 

.Joseph Eckly, D. D. Oct. 27, 1779, April 30, 1811, Mt. 61. 
Joshua Huntington, May 18, 1808. 

First Baptist Church.] The members of this 
church first met at Charlcstown, and afterwarJs for 
some years on Noddle's island. Some of them had 
beer; imprisoned and baniiihed, and they were not al- 
lowed to fi«isemble openly in town tiil after the year 
1872. In 1778 they built them a house for w^orship, 
out of which, they were spcn shut, and for some time 
enccuatcTcd severe opposiliea. The General Court 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 2ia 

declare J that the hoiisG v/as bailt without legal pormh- 
siou and therefore forfeited to the county, &c. — but ths 
act was not enforced. The original house, built in 1678, 
in Back-street, was small and it is uiicartain that any al- 
teration was mad<^ in it until 1771, when it was remov- 
ed, and a new one built, tifty-three feet by fifty-seven* 
This house was enlarged in 1791 to its present dimen- 
sions, seventy-seven by fifly-seven. It is built of wood, 
has a porch in front, and small vestry in the rear. Be- 
sides this vestry, there is another almost adjoining the 

hou^'e on the north side, forty-six ^eei by nineteen, built la 

1799. 

Pastors. Date of ord'^n. ■ Decease. 

Thomas Gould, uncarlaiii, 1675. 

Isaac Hull, )■ do. 

John R,ussel,* ^ 1G79, ofriciatcJ tog-ether. 

Jolia Er.iblcn, 1004, uncertain, 1690. 

Ellis Callea'er, 1708, do. 1726, jeL about 80. 

Elis!ia Cailen-lcr,! 1713. 

Jeremiah Condy, Feb. 1, 1730-9, Au^just 9, 17GG,.st 59. 

Samuel Slilhnan, ) , n-i«---*r i-^ «o-, 

.•n-f.T,.-^! i Jan. 9, 17oa, March 12, 1807, ^t. 76-. 

'^hSalJeJ^^' ^-^"S-- 19, 1807, resigned Oct. 27, 1809. 
James M. WinchcU, March 30, 1814. 

Erittle-stheet CHURcri.] The first meeting-house in 
Brattle-street was a wooden building erected in 1G99. 
In 1744 the old building was taken down, and the pres- 
ent one erected on the same spot. The exterior of 
^ -^ Fiora l}.is Russel, Jc&cended the R?isse]s, of Providence, 
rvho.ic-Isian.i..— Jonathan Rir.se], lato niinister to Sweden, 
:s one oi" Lis descendants. Ee.vedict. 

i He was educated at CambriJg-G aPxd appears to have 
licen the first karned pastor of this flock. He was oi\!yjiied 
>>y I)«'9. I. & C. Mat>*cr, vnd Mr, John Webb, ib. 



244 OESCtllPriO.N' OF BOStO-V. 

this charcli is plaiii, but the i:il3rior is fini.-lioil in tlis 
Corinthian stylo, an 1 equal to any in town. Tiiis church 
has a large well-toned organ, ami the heaviest bell in 
Boston, hung- in a lower ninety feet from the groiind. 
Pastors. Date of ord^n. Decease. 

Benjamin Coleman, D. D. ordained in London, 1700, Au--. 

20, 1147, Jit 13. 
tViiliam Cooper, May 23, 1716, Dec. 13, 1743, JEt. 50. 

Samuel Cooper, D. D. JNIay 9.1, 1746, Dec. 20, 17C3, o?t. 58.- 
Peter Thacher,* D. D. inr^ta!. Jan. 12, 1785, Dec. 16, 1C02, 

Kt. 53. 
Joseph S. Bucksninstcr. Jan. 30, 1H05, June 9, 1812, a)t, 23. 
Edward Evercti, Feb. 9, 1014, resigned March, 1015. 

?-^ing'3 Chapel.] The corner stone of this editice was 

ia;d ivith gTeat ceremony by Governor Shirley, Augr^st 

1 1, 1749. Before this, however, the liturgy was begun 

to hp. read, and f.he funeral sevice at the interment of 

the dead In the year 1686, a society of Episcopalians 

was formed and met at tlie house of .Mr. Ratcliife, the 

ilsrst Re-ctor, and in a chamber of the Town-House. Li 

1786 the year after (he death of Charles II. Sir Edmund 

Andres arrived with a commission from king James foi' 

4iithc government of New-England, and serious apprehen- 

glons were indulged for the old fashioned liberty of indc- 

j,'Cndcnt- churches. The puritans were alarmed, though 

dW denominations of christians were to be tolerated, yet 

ihcre was manifested a strong partiality for the church 

of England. Haifa centry before, (says Emerson) the 

introduction of the common prayer-book would not have 

'^ The ixcv. Dr. Thachcr had been previously settled st. 
Maiden^ wliere he was ordained, Sq\>. J 9, 1770, 



i 



I)ESCRIPTION OF BOSTON'. 215 

liseii extremely abhorreiit to the fesliag.^ ofBostoniaiis. 
But a variety of circumstances since that period, h:ul 
strengthened their antipathies to the Episcopal service. 
They believed that the Governor purposed making use 
of a meeting-house for the celebration of public wor- 
ship according to the liturgy and Ihey were agreed in 
opinion that they oiiglit to frustrate his purpose. But 
their counsels were ineffectual. After viewing the three 
meeting-houses, the Governor determined to make u?e 
of the Old South, and notwithstanding the remonstrances 
of the proprietors, the service was performed agreeably 
to his wishes. This, however, was not repeated, and ia 
1883, they erected a zcooden 6tn7Ji??o-ia Tremont-street, 
called King's Chapel, which must have been too small to 
accommodate the members, or too mean, when compnred 
with the maetiiig-hoiiscsj toentertrin the ofHcers of the 
erown. 

The exterior of this building is exlrem^ly plain, but 
the architecture of the inside is whoily'of the Corinthian 
order, and superior to any in this metropolis. The 
largest and best organ in town is in this church. 

When Boston was evacuated hy the British troops 
in 1776, the Rev. Dr. Caner, minister of the church, 
embarked for Halifax, carrving with bim the records, 
plate, re-'iitcrs of Baptisms, &c. accompanied by 
many of his paiishioners. The church was occupied 
for some years afterwards by theOldSouthSociety, whose 
place of worship had been converted to a riding scliooK 
by the chrhiian'zed soldif*ry of Groat Britain. 



¥0 



'21 



24S DESCRIPTION OF B03T0:^^. 

At length the remainin:>f proprietors of the Chapel dn- 
termined to restore their former mode of worship, and 
the Rev. James Freeman, was, in 1782, invited to per- 
form divine service. They adopted an Unitarian liturg-y, 
altered from the common prayer-book of the church of 
Kng-land, after the plan of Dr. Samuel Clarke. Mn 
Freeman vva5 ordained by his church in 1787. The 
Rev. Samuel Cary was ordained associate pastor, Jan- 
uary 1, 1809, and died October 22, 1815, aged 30. This 
society is not connected with the Episcopal Churches 
in this country. The ministers hold ministerial inter- 
course Avith their congregational brethren, and are mem- 
"bcrs of the Boston Association. 

Pastors. Date oford'^n. Decease. 

Robert RatcliiFe, Rector, June 15, 1686. 
Robert Clark. Assistant, 1686. 

Samuel Myles, Rector, June 29, 1689, March 4, 1729, 

^jJeorgc Hatton, Assistant, 1693, continued till July, 1696. 
Christopher Bridge, March 5, 1699, removed Oct. 1, 1706. 
Henry Harris, Assistant, April, 1709, Oct. 6, 1729. 

Roger Price, Rector, June 25, 1729, resigned Nov. 21, 1746 
Charles Harwood, D. D. AssistantjApril, 1731, April 15,1736. 
Addington Davenport, Assistant, April 15, 1737, left the 

church May, 1740. 
Stephen Roe, Assistant, 1741, removed 1744. 
Henry Caner, D. D. Rector, April 11, 1747, left the church, 

March 17, 1776. 
Charles Brockwell Assistant, 1747, Aug. 20, 1755, 

John Troutbeck, Assistant, 1765, left the church Nov. 1776. 
James Freeman, D. D. ordained, 1787. 
Samuel Cary, Jan. 1, 1809, Oct. 22, 1815, aet. 30, 

v^uAKER Meeting House.] The Quaker Meeting 

House in Congress street, formerly Leveretts Lane, 

was built in 1710. The building, like the proprietors, 

13 rcmarkabla for its plainness. In some old records, 



DESCRTPTION OF BOSTON 24t 

nisntioa is made of a Quaker Meeting House near 
Brattle square. Some private house, where the Friends 
assembled for religious worship, m" st have been so 
called, from that circumstance. The ground which the 
present building stands on, and the lot adjoining-, on ac- 
count of their central situation, are very valuable , and 
if annexed to the Exchange, would add gi^eatly to tlie 
beauty and convenience of that establishment, by 
opening an area on the south from Congress to Devon- 
shire street, which would be capable of great embel- 
lishment 

The society is now so diminished, that no regular 
meetings are holden in town. The early history of it 
in this place is well known to general readers, and ex~ 
hibits the disgusting contest of ignorance and fanaticism^ 
with intolerance, and learned bigotry. Had the peace- 
ful and meek demeanor, which characterizes the Friends 
of this century, been manifested by the Puritans, they 
would not have been scourged at the cart tail, nor 
hung on a gallows ; nor would I^orton and Cotton, and 
other eminent and holy divines been recorded as per- 
secutors. What a change in religious matters has been 
Wrought in this town in a century ! In 1817, the Pastor 
of the oldest religious society introduces into his pulpit 
a Quaker, and a large and respectable audience listen 
attentively to his instructions. In the first part of the 
17th century^ his predecessors in the ministry were 
thundering anathemas against this very sect, and con- 
senting to their deaths „ 



248 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON 

' Tiis Nsw North] vva? the second Congregational 
Church at the north part of Bo?ton. It \7as gathered 
by seventeen substantial mechanics, n'ho with others, 
could not be accommodated with convenience in the old 
Meeting-house. Their tirst meeting was in 1712, when 
they sent a petition to the North Church, of which they 
were members, for leave to form into a church fellow- 
ship — which was granted. 

la 1714, the^' erected a small wooden building at the 
corner of North &, Clark-streets, '-Unassisted by tha 
more wealthy part of the community, excepting by their 
prayers and good wishes.*' This was enlarged in 1730 , 
the congregation having become very numerous. It 
was 'calculated that a greater number of people could 
be accommodated with seats in this house than any oth- 
er in' town. This house was taken down in the year 
1802, and a commodious brick building was erected on 
the same spot of land, which was finished, and the dedi- 
cation took place in May 1 804. The Rev. John Webb 
was =he first Pastor, to nhom was joined in 1720, the 
Rev. Mr. Peter Thachcr. This gentleman had been 
minister of We)? mouth. Great opposition was made to 
Mr. Thacher's inslallation — it was the cause of the 
building which was called the New Brick, by persons 
who were dissatisfied. Mr. Webb died in 1750— Mr. 
Th-acher eleven years before viz. 1739. Andrew Ehot, 
D. D- succeeded Mr. Ihacheras colleague r»ith Mr. 
Webb, in 1742 ; he died in 1770, ddt 60. His son John 



DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 24^ 

Eiiot, D. D. rilled iip the vacancy in 1779, died Feb. 14, 
1813, aged 53. Fraacis Pai'kman, the present Minis- 
ter, was ordained in 1813. Fi-cm the year 1720 to 
1775, the Church Oi'iicers consisted of the Pastor, one 
or more Ruling Elders^ and three Deacons. The 
ceremony of Setting- apart the Ruling Elders and Dea- 
cons, was, by the imposition of the hands of the Pastor,. ' 
&c. a prayer, and a solemn charge, in public. 

Ths New South Church,] At the east end of Sum- 
mer-street, is built of the best Chelmsford granite, and 
of the following dim ensions. The body of the building 
is octagonal, formed in a square of seventy six {eet di* 
ameter, four siues being farty-seven teet, and four smaller 
^ides twenty feet each, three large windows are in two 
of the principal sides, and one in each of the angles, and 
in the rear. The height is thirty-four feet, and finish- 
ed with a Doric cornice of bold projection. The porch 
is of equal exleut with one of the sides, and is projected 
sixteen i^eet, in front of which is a portico of four iluted 
columns of Grecian Doric ; this portico is crowned 
wilh £ pediment, surmomited by a plain attic. A tower 
rises from the centre of the attic, which includes tho 
belfrey. The lirst story of the steeple is an oetagorr, 
surrounded by eight colamn^. an:i a circular pedestal 
a:id entablature ; an attic, above thi=, gradually dimin- 
ishing hy three steps or gradins, srjpports a second 
range of Corinthian column^, with an entablature and 
balustrade ;. from this, th,e assent in a grad^aal diminu- 



^59 DESCRIPriOX O? BOSTON. 

tion, forms the base of the spire, which is" crowned with 
a ball ati-l vane. The entire height is one hundred and 
Dinety feet. 

Inside the house, the ceiling is supported hj four 
Ionic columns connected above their entablature by 
four arches of moderate elevation ; in the angles, pen- 
dants, or fans rising from a circiilar horizontal ceiiing-j 
decorated with a centre flower. Between the arches 
and walls are graias springing from tlie cornice, sup- 
ported by Ionic pilasters between the windows. The 
galleries rest upon small columns, and are iijished in 
the front with baliustrades. The pulpitis richly built 
of mahogany, supported by Ionic and Corinthian columns. 
The floor of the hou3e contains one hundred and eigh* 
teen pews, and the galleries thirty-two, besides ih.-2 or- 
gan loft, and seats for the the orphan children of the 
Female Asylum. 

In construciing tiiis house, an attempt has been made 
to unite the massive simplicity of thQ Grecian temple 
With the conveniences of the christian church. Ths 
bold proportion*: of the portico, cornices and windows, 
and the simplicity of the Attic, give the impression of 
classical anticpaity ; vvhde the tower and steeple are in- 
ventions, comparatively, of a modern date. 

Pastors. Date of orcVn. Decease. 

Rev. Samuel CliCf;kbM'. April 15, 1719, Dec. 1, 1769, act. 73. 
I'enMcl Buvven, April 1)0, 1700, Disxnisscd at Ins requcKt 

Mav 9, 177:>. 
J^}^c-ph Hoi^-ejlVIny l^. 1773, Au^. 23, 1775, a:t. 28. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. £51 

Oliver Everett, Jan. 2, 1782, Dismissed at his own re'^^iicst. 
May 26, 1792. 

John Thornton Kirkland, D. D. Feb. 5, 1794, elected Presi- 
dent of Harvard University and inducted, Nov. 14, 1810. 

Samuel Cooper Thacher, ordained May 15, 1811. 

The New Brigk Church.] In Middle-stseet, stands 
on a rising ground and was founded by some members 
of the New North congregation. The building is neat 
and convenient. 

After the destruction of the Old North by the British 
in 1775, the New Brick society united with the 
members of the Old North, and since that time hare 
worshipped in the New Brick meeting-house. 

Pastors. Date of ordhi. Decease. 

William Waldron, May 23, 1722, Sept. 20, 1727, ret. 31. 
William Welsteed, March 27, 1728, Sept. 29, 1753, tct. 58. 
Ellis Graj^ Sept. 27, 1738, Jan. 17, 1753, ait. 37. 

Ebcnezer Pemberton, D. D. Installed March 6, 1754, Sept. 

9, 1777, cet. 72. 

The Presbyterian Chup.ch] In Long Lane, new cal- 
led Federal stteet, was a wooden building, the roof of 
which is now to be seen in High street. Another 
was erected in the same place, 1744. The present 
edifice is a fine specimen of Saxon Gothic, designed by 
C. Bnlfinch, Esq. It was dedicated Nov. 1809. The 
architecture of this edifice is admirable for its unifor- 
mity and the symetry of its proportions, and we regret 
that the liPxiits of this work will not admit of a more 
particular description. It is the only specimen of that 
style of building in this metropolis. The innocent ex.. 
ccntricities, of the first Pastor Mr. Moorhead, an 



252 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

Irishman by birth, are remembered and repeated at 
this da}'. The name of Belknap, the first Congrega- 
tional Pastor of the society, is familiar to every scholar 
and every reader of American history. 

Pastors. Date of ordCn. Decease. 

Rev. John Moorhead,ordained in Ireland, settled 1730, Dec 

3, 1774, a3t. 70. 
David Anan, 1783, Dismissed at his own request. 

After the Society became one of the Congregational 

Churches of the town, they chose for their pastor 

Jeremy Belknap, D. D. Installed April 4, 1787, died 

June 20, 1790, aged 54. 

Pastors. Date oforcfn. Decease. 

John Snellinj^ Popkin, D. D. ordained 1798. Resig-ned 
William Ellery Channing, ordained June 1803. 

This meeting house has an excellent bell, and 
organ. 

HoLLTs Street Church.] His Excellency Jonathan 
Belcher, governor of Massachusetts, gave the land on 
which the house of worship in this street stands. The 
deed was executed March 2d, 1730. The first house 
was consecrated June 14th, 1732. The church was 
formed on the 14th of the following November. 

Rev. Mather Byles, D. D. the first minister, was or- 
dained December 20th, the same year ; was dismissed 
in 1777 ; and died July 5th, 1788, at the age of 82. 

Rev. Ebenezer Wight, tlic second minister, was or- 
dained February 25th, 1778, and was dismissed at his 
own request in September 1788. 

Rev. Samuel \V€St, D. D. the third mini?tcr, was 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 253 

uistalled March 12, 1789, and died April 10, 1808, at 
t he age of 70. 

Rev. Horace HoUey, the fourtli and present minister, 
was installed March 8, 1809. 

The first house of worship^ built of wood, was burnt 
April 20, 1787, Another of wood was erected on the 
same spot within the year, and was taken down in 1810. 
The present house, which is of brick, was consecrated 
January 31,1811. It is seventy-nine and a half feet by 
seventy-six, exclusive of the tower. It contains one 
hundred and thirty pews on the floor, and thirty-eight 
in the gallery, besides the seats in the choir. The 
steeple is one hundred and ninety-six feet high. 

West Church.] This church was gathered January 
13, 173G; its first minister was the Rev. William Hooper, 
from Scotland, who was ordained on the 18th May, 1737, 
and resigned the pastoral care of the church Novem- 
ber 19, 1746.* His successor was the Rev. Jonathan 
Mayhew, D. D. who was ordained June 17, 1747, and 
continued his ministry till his death, which happened 
July 8, 1766, ^t.46. The successor of the Rev. Dr. May- 
hew, was the Rev. Simeon Howard, D. P. who wa« 
ordained May 6, 1768, and died in office Aug. 13, 1804, 
aged 72, and was succeeded by the Rev.CharlesLowell, 
who was ordained January 1, 1806 ; the April ensuing 
ihe old church was taken down and the present one 

* Rev. Wm. Hooper left this Society to receive Episcopal ordi=- 
?iation, at the invitation of Trinity Church. 

2g 



^4 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON= 

completed, and dedicated to the worship of God on the 
27th November of the same year. 

This building unites neatness with elegance. It is 
seventy-five feet long and seventy-four feet wide — the 
walls are tjiirty-four feet high, the porch is seventeen 
by thirty-six feet, the walls of which are seventy-three 
feet high and finished after the Doric order. On the 
porch is erected a cupola twenty-nine feet high, which 
is finished in the Ionic order. The pulpit and front of 
the gallery are finished in the modern Composite order. 
The ceiHng has a dome in its centre, forty-two feet in its 
greatest diameter. The horizontal part of the ceiling 
is ornamented with pannels, fans, &,c. The lower floor 
is spacious and convenient, and contains 112 pews. To 
its architectural embellishments an elegant clock is add- 
ed; the donation of the late John Derby, Esq. 

The Seconb Baptist Society] proceeded from the 
first, in 1743. It arose, (says Benedict,) after the storm 
of persecution was over, and has never experienced any 
uncommon vicissitudes. The cause of separation was, 
that the pastor of the first society was what they call- 
ed an Arminimi. Dr. Gill of London, an eminent divine, 
made them a generous donation of plate, books, and 
baptismal garments. They also received a handsome 
donation of books from Mr. Hill, an independent minis- 
ter of London. The ordination of Mr. Bownd, the first 
pastor, was attended with some difliculty, as no ministers 
cpuld be found near, to assist at that ceremony ; he 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. r^ 

therefore went to Rhode-Island, where he was formally 
inducted into the pastoral office.* 

The lot in the possession of this church, inBack-street, 
was originally the gift of Mr. Bosworth, of Hull, near 
Boston : additions have been made to it at different 
times, and it is now of the following size : on Back-street, 
ninety (eet^ and continues the same width two hundred 
and seventy feet^ to within twelve feet at one corner, 
and upwards of thirty at the other, of Margin-street, 
which was lately built on the flats of the Mill-Pond. 

The first meeting-house was small^ and was finished 
in 1746. This was enlarged in 1789^ Another addi- 
tion was made to it in 1797. In 1810, the building w/s 
Pemoved to make roomfo? tu5 picscut tioinr.e, ^vhicfr 
is of brick, eighty feet by seventy-five, exclusive of a 
tower thirty-eight feet by eighleen. The building 
with its appendages cost somewhat over 22,000 dollar?. 

Pastors. Date of ord''n. Decease. 

IJpliraim Bownd, Sept. 7, 1743, June, 18, 1765, Mi, 46 

John Davis, Sept. 9, 1770, Dec. 13, 1772, x.t. 35. 

Isaac Skillman, D. D. received as Pastor Oct. 3, 1773, dis- 
missed at his own request 17&7. 

Thomas Gair,instal. April 23, 1788, April 27, 1790, -Et. 35. 

Thomas Baldwin, D.D. installed, Nov. 11, 1790. 

* la our account of congregations and churches we have 
frequently used the terms ordination and installation. Mr. 
Benedict, (from whose valuable History of Baptist Denom- 
inations, we have made liberal extracts,) says, that installa- 
tion is nothing more nor less than going over the same cere- 
monies with an ordained minister, when he takes the pastoral 
care of a church, as were practised when he was first set 
apart for the ministry ; and adds, it was never practised 
but by comparatively few churches, and, it is hoped it will 
soon be laid asiile.- 



256 &£SCmPT]Oy OF BOSTON. 

Third Baptist Church.] This Society was forraei"^ 
from llie first and second churches of the same denomi« 
nation, in 1806; and their meeting-house in Charles 
Street was opened for public worship, August 5th, 1 807 
The building is handsomely constructed of brick, 76. 
ffeet square, exclusive of the tower. It is the only 
Baptist meeting-house in town which is accommodated 
with a bell. The building cost 27,000 dollars, and, to- 
gether with the land on which it stands, was given to the 
society by the Mount Vernon Company. 

Rev. Caleb Blood, became Pastor, 1806, Removed to Portland. 
Daniel Sharp, Inst. 1812. 

Catholic Church.] The Catholics laid the fcundar 
Jion of the Church of the Holy Cross, in Boston, in the 
year 1801, and assisted by the liberality of a number of 
the most respectable inhabitants of the town, completed 
it in the year 1803. It was consecrated Sept. 29, same 
year, by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Carroll, Bishop of Baltimore. 
The same was erected into a Bishop's see, in the year 
1808. It is spacious and elegant, and generally well 
attended. The present Pastors are, 

The Rt. Rev. John Cheverus, consecrated Bishop 
Nov. 1, 1810. 

The Rev. Francis A. Matignt)n, D. D. 

Previous to the building of the present Church, the 
Roman Catholics assembled, since the year 1789. in 
::!(:hool-strcet, in an old Church now pulled down, and 
which hafl beepv built hv (he French Ilu^-enots, wli<» 




anCKATl^O TOK Tli£ HISTORY Of BOSrOM. 



HEHRI B0W2M, »HItlT. 



CHRIST CHURCH, SALEM STREET. 



teSCRIPl'IOI^ OP BOSTON. 237 

came ever to this country after the revocation Oz the 
edict of Nantz. 

Christ Church] in Salem street. The corner stone 
of this edifice was laid with religious ceremonies April 
22d, 1722, by the Rev. Mr. Myles, and was opened 
by Dr. Catler on the 29th of the following December. 
In 1775 Dr. Bjles, the rector, who with many other 
respectable citizens, was attached to the royal goverrt- 
ment, removed to St. Johns in New Brunswick, 
where he was appointed to the rectorship and cure of 
the church in that place. Christ Church was thus de- 
prived of a pastor, and the number of parishioners con- 
sequently greatly diminished. The rectors of King> 
Chapel and Trinity Church, to avoid the calaofities of a 
revolution, left the country about the same time. At 
the commencement of hostihties the late Bishop Parker, 
tlien assistant minister at Trinity Church, was appointed 
incumbent, and to bis prudence and talents the Episco- 
pal churches in this Diocese are principz^lly indebted 
for their preservation. While Christ Church was des- 
titute of a pastor, tbe desk was supplied by lay readers, 
and particularly by the Wardens, Messrs. Bright and 
Sherman, who are still remembered for their zeal and 
exemplary piety. During a short period the church 
was supplied by the labours of the Rev- Mr. Lewis and 
Rev. Mr. Montague,who were succeeded by Dr. Walter. *^ 

* Wm. Walter, D.D. having resigned the rectorship of Trinity 
©hurch went to England, and was made Dean of Shelburne,with 

*2^ 



258 BESCRlPTiON OF BOSTON: 

The Church is a small neat building of two stones^ 
about GO feet in length and 45 in breadth, having a loffy 
tower, supporting one of the most elegant steeples in 
in the United States. It has a chime of eight bells, 
and a large organ made by an American artist, re- 
markable for the sweetness of its tones. The interior 
has been greatly improved within a few years. The 
church had formerly a centre aisle, which is now closed, 
and the space converted into pews. The large altar 
window is closed, and the chancel is enriched by an 
altar piece. The paintings containing the Lord's 
prayer, select texts of scripture, and the last supper 
are from the pencil of Mr. Penniman of this town, and 
are deservedly admired*. The flues of the stoves are 
inclosed by pilasters, supporting an entablature and 
cornice over the chancel, on the frieze of which is in- 
cribed " This is none other than the hous6 of God, and 
this is the Gate of Heaven." Above this is a painting, 
the Descent of the Holy Spirit, finely executed by Mr. 
Johnson of Boston. At the east end of the church, on 
the side of the chancel, is a monument to the memory of 
Washington, (the first ever erected to his memory in 
this country^) with a bust well executed by an Italian 
artist. 

the cure of the chwrches in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 
After the peace he returned to Boston and officiated, in Christ.- 
Church as Rector till his death. 



•DESCRlPTrON OF BOSTON. 250" 

The old steeple, which had sufTered for llie want of 
timely repairs,was overthrown by the violent gale in the 
auturnn oflGOI. The ribCrcvlily of the citizens fur- 
ished four thousand dollars for the erection of a new 
one, which was completed the ensuing spring according 
to a model furnished by Charles Bulfir.ch, Esq. in which 
the proportions and symmetry of the old one are cam-- 
fully preserved. 

Connected with this church is a Sunday school for 
poor chikken, the first institution of the kind in New- 
England. Its good effects have been sensibly felt by 
the poor of the town, and- other societies have formed 
establishments on a similar plan. 

UnJer this Church is a cemetery.* 

The burying ground in the neighborhood of this 
church, en Copp's Hill, was purchased by the town in 
year 1C59. 

* The following fact, which in som6 oges •would have excited 
the superstitious veneration of ignorance and bigotry, may 
be worth recording. Some 3-ears since, -while the workmeH 
were employed in the cemetery, building tombs, one of them 
found the earth so loose, that ke settled his bar into it the whole 
length with a single effort. The superintendant directed him to 
proceed till he found solid earth. About six feet below the bot- 
tom of the cellar he found a coffin covered witli a coarse linen 
oloth sized with gum, which on boiling became white, and the 
texture as firm as if it had been recently woven. "VVithin this 
coffin was another protected from the air in a similar manner, and 
the furniture was not in the least injured by time. The flesh was 
sound and somewhat resembling that of an Egyjttian mummy. 
The skiB,when cut, appeared like leather. The sprigs of evergreeir 
deposited in the coffin, resembled the broad leaved myrtle ; th6 
stem was elastic, the leaves fresh and apparently in a state of 



CoO I}£SCRIPTIO^^ OF BOSTON. 

The oldest inscription on a grave-stone was daterl 
1660; the stone is now destroj^ed. The oldest now 
to be seen is marked witii the name of Barnard, and is 
dated IG63. 

Succession of Pastors. Inducted to office. 

Timothy Culler, D.D. 1722, Died Aug. 17,1765. 

James Greaton, Assist. 1759, Continued in office 

till 1760. 
Mather Byles, iun. X). D. Rector, 1768, do. till 1775. 

Stephen C. Lewis, 1781, do. till 1*785. 

William Montage, 1786, do. till 1791. 

William ^Valter, D. D» May 28, 1792, Died Dec.14,1800. 

Samuel Haskell , JNfow Rector at Rye in N.Y. 

Asa Eaton, ordained at N. York, by the Rt, Rev. Bishop Moore, ■ 
in July, 1805.- 

The First Universal Society was incorporated 
March 8th, 1806. The Church stands in North Bennet 
Street, and was erected in 1742 by a number of sece-^ 
ders from the Old North. After the decease of Dr. 
Samuel Mather, which happened June 27, 1785, this*' 
Society purchased the building, which they enlarged- 
and improved in the year 1794'. The house is con- 
structed of wood in a very plain style, and the interior' 
is neatly finished. It contains one hundred and sixteen-' 
pews on the floor, and the galleries have very ample 
accommodations both for proprietors and strangers. The " 
organ was made by Mr. Leavit of this town, and is a* 
very good toned instrument. The members have a 

vegetation. From the inscription it was found to be the body of*a' 
Mr.Thomas^a native of NewEngland who died in Bermuda. Some ' 
of his family were among the founders of Christ Church. His re- 
gains, when discovered had been entombed about eighty years. 
They now rest in the North East corner of the cemetery, and the 
stone so*E>ng concealed from observation is placed over them^ 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 2Ui 

^raall theological library in the vestry. The first pas- 
tor of this society, was Rev. John Murray, inducted t4 
oEqce in October, 1793; and deceased Sept. 3d, 1815., 
aged 74. His successor was Rev. Edward Mitchell^ 
installed Sept. 12tb, 1810, resigned Oct. 6, 1811. The 
present pastor. Rev. Paul Dean, was installed August 
19, 1813. The society had become numerous, and 
another building was necessary to accommodate the 
members. 

The Second Universal Society.] This Society is coxnr 
posed of members who left (he first church. In the 
session of the Legislature of January, 1817, they peti- 
tioned for an act of incorporation, which was granted ; 
and a piece ofground was purchased in School Streef, 
for the erection of a church, which is now (Sept. 1817,) 
almost completed. It is a plain building of brick, with- 
out a steeple, 75 feet long and 67 broad, having 118 
pews belpvv and 34 in the galleries, 12 of which are 
reserved for strangers. The interior is well enlight- 
ened,, and conveniently calculated for public worship, 
hut displays no elegance of architecture. It stands a 
(ew feet from the spot where the French Protestants 
had a small meeting-house, who fled from France after 
the revocation of the edict of Nantz in 1G8C. 

The corner stone of this editice was laid in masomc 
form- May 19, 1817, in the j^rcscnce of nrimerou^ 



sag DESCRIPTiO.V OF BOSTON. 

spectators, and under it deposited a silver plate, witJb^ 

the following iaseription • 

rnE 
SECOND UNIVERSAL CHURCH, 
Devoted to the Worship of the TRUE GOD; 
JESUS CHRIST 

BEING THE 

CHIEF CORNER STONE. 

May 19, 1817. 

Park Street Church] is delightfully situated at the 
bottom of Park Street, with the front on Commort 
Street, and commands an' entire view of the Common 
and the scenery southwesterly beyond Cambridge bay. 
Ihe tower is 72 feet in height, and 27 by 31 in breadth,- 
of the Doric order. On each side of the tower is a 
circular vestibule of two stories, containing stairs to the 
galleries. This and the tower ornamented with ibuT 
columns of 35 {^ei and the vestibule is crowned by an 
elegant pediment and balustrade,^ and the windows and 
doors are enriched by sixteen columns of the same 
order. The tower supports a square story for a bell, 
8 feet high, and 20 ^eei square, with four large circular 
windows, eight columns on pedestals of the Ionic order, 
with corresponding pilasters, crj^ned b}^ four pediments 
and cornices. On this stands an octagon, 25 feet high, 
and 16 from side to side, with four circular windows, 
ornamented with 8 Corinthian Golumns,with appropriate 
embellishments. This supports another octagon of 20- 
feet, 12 feet 6 inches from side to side, with the same 
number of columns and windows of the Composite 
order. On this stan^ls a base for the spire 11 from- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 2e$ 

*<le to me and 9 in height, with 8 oval windows 
From this rises an octagonal spire of 50 feet with a 
collar midway, 9 feet 6 inches at its base, and dimin- 
ishmg gradually .o 18 inches at the top, crowned by a 
ball 6 ftet above, with a vane representing a blazing 
star. The height of the v^ne from the street is 217 fe^ 
9 inches. We are thus particular in describing this 
steeple, because we consider it the most beautiful and 
classic specimen flf architecture in town. 

There is a deep cellar under the whole building. 
•The pulpu ,s of mahogany, and richly finished with two 
flights of winding stairs. On the lower floor are 144 
.pews, and there are a number in the galleries for the 
accommodation of strangers. 

This Church was gathered and formed by an Ecclesi- 
ashcal Council, 27th February, 1809. The membe.^ 
who miited, adopted the Cambridge Platform, for their 
form of government, which is of the Congressional 
denommation; and adopted for articles of Christian 
&.th and practice substantially the same professed, and 
recommended by the Fathers ^f the New England 
churches, and which are distinguishingly styled « the 
doctnnes of grace." The number of members who at 
first associated consisted of 9 male and 12 female mem- 
bers: five male members were admitted by the council 
which assisted in the formation of the church. 

^ri%™64'8!'"'°"° "^^ "'"P'"^ ^^^ %«''^ which met at Gwt- 



■ t 



^4 Df:SCRIPTION OF BOSTOIS'. 

"The corner-stone of this edifice was laid on the !s{ 
qf May, 1809, after prayer, and with due solemnity, by 
the clergymen of the council, assisted by the commit- 
tee who superintended the building. The following 
inscription is on a silver plate.placed on the corner-stone 
at the southeast corner of this church. 

JESUS CHRIST 
THE CHIEF CORNER STONE, 

IN WHOM 

ALL THE BUILDING- 

PITI.Y IRAP.IFD TOGETHER, 
GROWETH 

•UNTO AN HOLY TEMPLE 

IX THE LORD. 

THIS CHURCH FORMED 

February 27th, 

AND TfHS FOUNDATION LAID 

May 1st, 1809. 

The chuich was dedicated to the service of Go4» 
January 10th, 1810. The cost of the building was 
about $50,000, and that of the land $21,000, making 
$71,000. 

Rev. Dr. Griffin, (then Bartlett Professor of Pulpit 

Eloquence,) was chosen and officiated as stated preacher 

till the winter A. D. 1811, when he resigned his office 

of professor, and was chosen Pastor of tliis church 

which he accepted May 1, and was installed July 3 J, 

the same year. He continued their pastor till April, 

1815, when by mutual consent he was, by a council, 

dismissed and returned to Newark, (New Jersey) and 

was again installed over a part of the church, which he 

left when he accepted the professorship before me*'* 



DESCRIPTil>>? OF 150STON. :t^; 

i!Oi*e(]. The church coniiiiuod vacant, bat enjo^'ing 
'ihe constant preaching of the gospel and other religious 
ordinances till September 3, 1817, when the Rev. Se- 
re«o E. Dwight, (son of the late Dr. Dwight, Presidcrft 
of Yale College,) was ortlained their Pastor. 

Trinity Ghdrch,] in Summer-street, is a large, plain, 
wooden building, and is the third Episcopal church 
in to^vn. The inside has a show of the Corinthian style, 
but the building has nothing to recommend it but its room- 
iness and convenience for worship. It is 90 feet long 
and GO feet broad. Tiio corner stone was laid by the 
Piev. Mr. Price April 15th, 1734. The chancel is or- 
namented with some handsome paintings, aad the choir 
is furnished with a large, well toned organ. It has three 
tloors in front, without porches, and has no bell nor 
steeple. 

Succession of Rectors. Inducted info o^re, Di'sd or removed. 
Addington Davenport, Rector, May 8, 1740, Died Sept. 8, 1746. 
William Hooper, tlector, Aue;. 28, 1747, Died Aprill4,1767. 
"William Walter, D.D. Assist. May 19, 1774, 

Rector, July 25^ 1779, Left Mar. 17,1776. 
Jolm Sylvester John Gardiner, D.D. A-?sistant, April 12, 179^. 

Rector. 

TiRST Methodist Chapel,] between IVorth and. Ship 
Streets, is a building of wood 46 by 36 feet., with galle- 
ries on three sides; was erected in December, 1795 ,• 
and on th^ 15th May, 1796, was dedicated with appro* 
priate cerem€nie^ by the Ptev. George Pickering. It is 
situated in Methodist Alley, at the North End, and is to 
he noticed only on account of its being the first place 
23 



SKK6 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

built for religious worship by .this society in Bosiou, 
This Chapel was finished in 1800, and since that tinr 
iias been considerably improyed. 

Second Methodist Chapel,] Bromfield's Lan€, is buil. 
of brick. Its dimensions are C4 by 64 feet, and it ha> 
^6 pews on the floor in parallel circles from the altar- 
Ninety-six of these pews are owned by individuals, ancl 
the remaining 30 pews, with the whole of the galleries, 
are free to strangers. The vestry over the entry in- 
cludes a part of the front gallery, and can conveniently 
receive 200 people. The building is spacious, but like 
many others in town, already described, while it does 
great honour to the liberality of the founders and pro- 
prietors, displays few of tjie beauties of ar^tiitecture. 
The principal defect is v.ant of proportion in the col- 
umns which support the galleries. The arrangement 
of the seatSj the altar and desk, is made witfe great taste, 
ynd aflords e\ery auditor a full view of the speaker. 
The scite of this iKiilding is not the most eligible. 

The construction of this building was projected Marck 
3d, 180G, the corner-stonej was laid on the 15th April, 
by the Rev. I'feter Jayne, and it was completed and 
dedicated on the lOth of November the same year. 
The «ermon on that occasion was, by Rev. Samuel Mes- 
wier, and the prayer by Rev. Daniel Webb. "This chapel 
was built within the period of seven months, and cost 
(iuciading the laud on which it 5^^nds,) '26,580 dollars. 



ITESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 267 

T^ear the northeast corner of th^ chapel, in the middle 
course of hammered stone, in the foundation, is a block 
taken from the celebrated rock, on which our fore- 
fathers landed at Plymouth, (1620.) 

This society consists of 403 church members, and 
was gathered by the Rev. Joseph Lee in Aug. 1792, at 
the house of Mr. Samuel Burrill, in Sheafe-street, when 
12 persons associated for the purpose, several of whom 
are now living * 

Besides the churches already enumerated we must 
liotice the following' Societies-. 

The Sandemantans] meet in a small vrooden building" 
m Middle-street.t Since the death of Mr. Robert San- 
deman, whose name they bear, which occurred in 1771, 
the society is greatly diminished^ and probably will soon' 
be extinct. It consists at present of about six persons oiUv. 

* The pulpits of these chapciP are rcgiilariy supplied by tlie 
Methodist Episc<^pal Church in the U. States, agreeably to their 
r\iles of church government, Tvliicb provide for a complete itine- 
rary of their clergy through the whole church in the U. State.< 
This itinerary is divided into ten digtricts, in each of -whicli h 
an s^nual conference of the preachers in the district, and once 
in four years there is a general conference of delegates from the dir"- 
fficts for the transaction of business relative to the whole church. 
I'his now 'consists of 224,853 members, making an increase of 
upwards of 10,000 inembcrs the last ye-ar. It is estimated that the 
number of people of this persuasion in the U. States, exceeds 
two millions. For more particulars respecting this society the 
reader is referred to the "Portraiture of Methodism." 

+ Their first place of worship was near Dr. Baldwin's meeting- 
house, on a spot now covered by ]\Ir. Gunnison''s Bakehouse. 
Some of the timbers of the fonr.er hoUse yeiftaiu, and are ns2*iir 
in his building. 



96a DEsepjPTiaN of bostox. 

The Society in Friend Street, calling tliemseFves 
'Christ-iajvs,'] are but few in number in this town. They 
first 'companied together' in the year 1803, aqd have- 
no settled pastor, yet frequently have preaching fron> 
'aainistering brethren. '^ When they have no Elders ta 
preach, they oft^n exhort each other, both m^le and^ 
iemale. The same privilege is granted to all pious 
people, when assembled with them, of whatever denom- 
ination they ruay be. They hold to six principles of 
the doctrine of Christ, viz. " Kepentance from dead 
works, Faith towards God, Baptisms, Of Laying on of 
Hand^, Of Resurrection of il\e Dead, and Of Eternal 
Judgment :*- Urging frequently upon their hearers tlije 
Hficessity of the two fivst principles above in order for 
sinners to become '• bom agaia,*' or become " nc\r 
creatures," or have the " divine^n^^.'^ire,"' or '• hollnes%*^ 
v^ithout v/hich no man shall see the Lord'. The- safety 
of those who •' eadure to the end,'' is firmly believed bji* 
them, and that none but such shall have ^* eternal life..'^ 

A small neat buiidiag, caUed St. Matthew's CiiAPi:!.,] 
i^ now almost completed at South Boston. The Society^ 
which is of the Episcopal order, was incorporated ir* 
1816. The Chapel is of brick, one story in height, 
und forty feet square, excluisive of the chancel, with a. 
vestibule , 

The plan of this church is similar to that of a num- 
jber of Episcopal village churches lately erected in 
ii5i? dioce?c\ auirl the chaste aiid appropriate, style <>*■" 



BfESCRII^lTON OF BOSTON'. 2Sjf 

Architecture which characterizes them is highly to he 
commended. Necessity forbids even a feeble imitar^ 
tion of the expensive magnificence of cathedrals ; and 
the tawdry decorations of a saloon do not comport 
with the solemnity of the sanctuary. 

African CauRCH.]. The history of this society^ 
which is of the Baptist denominatron, must be interest- 
ing to ev6ry friend of htimanity and religion, and wG 
shall give it at length, in the words of BTr. Benedict^ 
historian of American Baptists. This community (says 
he) of sable brethren arose in 1805. Their number at 
first was twenty, most of whom were under the ministry 
of Mr. Thomas Paul, a man of their own colour, who i> 
their present pastor. The year after this church was 
fbroied, they began to make exertions towards building 
th<Bma place of worship. They chose a committee to 
make collections, among whom was Cato Gardiner, a- 
native of Africa, who had long beon one of Dr. Stillman'c 
respectable members, Cato was all alive in the hui^* 
ness. By his importunity Dr. Stillman drew a subscrip- 
tion paper,which he circulated in differenl places,an<3 ob- 
tained about 1 500 dollars. Cato, notwithstanding his age, 
wished to have a hoHse for their use, afid that he should 
live t9 see it tinished, which he did, and soon after died. 
Others of the church made collections to a considerable 
amount, and having received encouragement to go for- 
ward in their design, they chose a committee of white 
men to soperirltend the building, wMeh was ftffislled'R^ 
*£3 



5T0 ^DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

1806. This committee consisted of Messrs. Damei 
Wild, John Wait, William Bentley, Mitchell Lincoln, 
Ward Jackson, and Edward Stevens. Some of those 
gentlemen made larg^e advances towards the house, 
■which with the lot they hold in trust for the church, un* 
til the debts are discharged : then they are to give 
deed of it to the body for whom it was built. This 
house is built of brick forty feet by forty-eight, three 
stories high. The louver story is fitted up for a school- 
room for coloured children, and has been occupied for 
that purpose from the time it was finished. The in^ 
StructoF was Prince Saunders, a man of colour and of 
education, now in the employment of Christophe, Eni» 
peror of Hayti ; his school generally consisted of about 
forty SthoIarS'. The two upper stories are well finished 
with pews, pulpit, galleries, &c. The lo4; is small, and 
with the house cost 8,000 dollars. Debts of a consider- 
able amount hare bef;n upon this establishment until 
lately ; but by Mr. Paul's collections they are now all 
<^ts charged. 

Mr. Paul, the worthy pastor of this society, was born 
in Exeter, New-Hampshire, in 1773, and commenced 
his ministry at the age of 28. In 1815, he visited Eng- 
land with Prince Saunders ; they were both noticed 
by the friends of the abolition of slavery, with marked 
attention. 

Mr. Paul since his return, has established two Sunday 
Siihdote fbv people of colour ; one for adalts, and another 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 27i 

for children. They are both well attended, and already 
the fruits of his exertions are manifest in the improve (^ 
manners of that unfortunate class of people. 

[Before'we conclude this account of the churches it is proper 
to premise, that the sketch of the First Church lyas not coib- 
pleted in page 240, and that by accident the sheet was struck ofi' 
without the knowledge of the compiler. The description of the 
buildings, ending page 238, was copied from Femberton, and 
though correct as to facts, represents him as speaking in the pres- 
ent tense, and describes buildings as standing which have long- 
since been demolished. The deficiency is fiere supplied.] 

The tirst meeting house (see p. 237) stood on, thf 
ground, now partly covered by the north end of the 
Exchange Coffee House. It was taken down in 1639. 

The meeting house erected in 1712, called the Old 
Brick, stood on the spot now covered by the large pile 
of building in Cornhill Square, occupied by shop keep-.. 
ers, and nearly opposite the Old State House. 

The First Church met for the last time in the Old 
Brick on Sunday Jul}' 17, 1808 ; and worshipped for the 
iii'st time in the new one, in Chauncy Place, July 21, of 
the same year, when i"t was dedicated. 

The Church in Chauncy Place is so called from the 
circumstance of its being built on a piece of ground, 
©nee cultivated as a garden by the celebrated Dr. 
Chauncy, formerly Pastor of the Society. The building 
is of brick 70 by 75 feet, and is finished in an elegan^. 
style. In the basement story are 4 rooms; 3 of whicit 
are occupied for schools, and the other for a Theologi-, 
dsal Library. Qn the occasion of the society leaving the 



$^2 jfc)ESCTvrPTlON" OF B0STG1S', 

Old Brick, Mr. Emerson preached from the text — *^r 
thy presence go not with me, carry us nol up hence.'' 
In additioTi to the regular services of the ministers of 
this church, the several edifices which they have built 
have been devoted to the weekly labours of the neigh- 
bouring clergy. As early as the settlement of Mr. 
Cotton, the Fifth Day, or Thursday Lecture, was begua 
to be preached. It was maintained by the ministers of this 
church until 1679, when, at the request of the magis- 
trates, and by a vote of this church, the ministers of the 
Old North and Old South churches, then the only min- 
isters in town, were invited to take their turns in preach- 
ing this lecture. From that period to the present, as 
often as a minister adjoins himsel/ to the Boston Asso- 
ciation, he is requested, as a thing of course, to take his 
turn in preaching the Thursday Lecture. There was a 
lime when this lecture was suspended about ten months, 
in th'e years 1775 and 1776. Dr. Andrew Eliot preach- 
ed the last of the old series, and the first of the new. 

Succession of Pastors^ date of Ordination-^ time of Dececi^^ 

and M^ge. 
B-CT. John Wilson was chosen Pastor of the Boston Chucrh^ 

Nov. 23, 163'2. '^Had received the ministry in England." 

Died A«g. 7, 1667, aged 78 years. 
Jno. Cotton, Teacher, ordained Oct. 17, 1633. Died Dec. 

23, 1652, aged 67. 
John Norton, installed July 23, 1656. Died April 5^ 1663, 

aged 57. 
John Davenport, installed Dec. 9, 1668. Died March 15, 1670, 

aged 52. 
James Allen, installed Dec. 9, 1668. Died Sept. 22, 1710, 

aged 78. 
John Oxenbridge, mgt. ApriJ 10, 1670. tkQ Dec. 20, ie7V 

gS<Sd66, • * 



DESCRIPTfON OF BOSTON: 27$' 

Benjaiuin Wadsworth, ordained Sept. 8, 1696. Elacted Presi- 
dent of Harvard CoiIee;e, and inducted JuJy 7, 1725^ where he 

died IMarch 12, 1737, a-cd 68. 
.Tliomas Bridge, inst. May 10, 1705. Di^d Sept. 26, 1715, 

aged 50. 
Thomas Foxcroft, crdained {November 20, 1717. Died June 18j, 

1769, aeed72. ' 
Charles Chauncj, D. D. Oct, 25, 1727. Died Feb. 10, 178T, 

aged 82. 
John Clarke, D. D. ordained July 8, 1778. Died April 1, 1798',- 

aged 43. 
William Emerson, inst. Oct. IG, 1799. Died May 12, 1811, 

aged 42. 
John Lovejoy Abbot, ordained July 14, 1813. Died Oct. 17, 

1814, aged 31. 
Kathaniel Langdon Frothingham, ordained March 15, 1816. 

Besides two assistant nnnister.s, viz. 
•Rev. Joshua Moodey, from 3d JMay, 1C84 to 1602. 
Rev. John Bailey, from 17Ui July, 1693^ to 1697, v/hcu he die<?^ 

aged 54. 

^0NCER.T Hall] is a lar^e, handsome building at 
the head of Hanover-street. It was erected in the year 
1756 by Mr. Step?ien D^blois, a musician, for the pur- 
pose of Goncerts, dancing,* and other entertainments; 
A few )ears since the building was enlarged, and im- 
proved at a sjreat expense by Mr. Amory. the proprietor. 
The front Hall is about 60 i^eet by 30 in the second 
story, and is justly admired for its correct proportions 
and the richness of its architecture. It is highly finished 
in the Corinthian style, \viih an orchestra, and the waL's 
are ornamented with superb mirrors. In the rear is 
another hall on the same story ilnished in a plainer 

^ In ''Observations made by the curious in N. England about 
the year 1673"' given to Randolph for his c>irection, which is 
quoted by Chalmers, it is said, that in Boston there are no j^iusir 
ciajis by trade ; a danciiig sckoQl Wci^: ftt vp. but put down. A 
t'encin:r ^drocl is- u!]owti(i* 



274 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOJST. 

style, and well calculated for public entertainments, an^ 
large parties. This extensive establishment is at pre?-' 
ent untier the management of Mr. Forster, who con- 
ducts it ia a manner highly creditable to the metropolis.^ 

Literary Institutions, (S*c. 

The Boston Athk.n^t:um.] For several years individ- 
uals in this metropolis had ej^pressed their wishes that 
t^ere might be established here a public reading rooiji, 
to be kept constantly open, and to contain all the valua- 
ble journals, foreign and domestic periodical publication?, 
books of general referance, and otlier works adapted to 
such a place of resort. It was thought that an e^itabUsb- 
Hient pf this kind would receive liberal support. 

Having these impressions, a society of g^ndemeri, 
who conducted a literary publication, (the Monthly 
Anthology,'^) in the year 1 C06 issued proposals, in which 
they engaged to provide a room of the forementioned 
description, open at ten dollars annually to each sub- 
scriber. The subscription list wag soon filled with a 
large number of respectable names. In consequence of 
this succcf^s, it was determined to extend the plan by 
adding a library to the foundation. 

By the time the journals and periodical publication*' 
were received, more than a thousand volumes of valua- 
Vie works, principally donations, were collected. At 
this stsge of the undertaking, the gentlemen who ba^- 

* Mcn^tly Axiiho\o<rv, fgr May, 1807.- 



IDESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 275 

eommenced and so far conducted it,"in order more^eflfec- 
tually to secure and diffuse the benefit of their past 
labour and expense, and realize their >yishes of a 
respectable Establishment, transferred their right and 
1,itle in the Anthology Reading Room and Library to 
Trustees, with power to supply vacancies in their num- 
ber, and to hold and manage said Reading Room and 
Library as a trust under their then present name. The 
Trustees jGrst opened the roams in Congress Street, 
>vhich -they soon changed to Scoilay's Buildings, Tre^ 
mont street, and in 1810 to another building m.ore spa- 
cious and airy in tlie same street. 

To men of let-ters, and studious infjuirers in geueral, 
ttiis establishment offers facilities in study, hitherto not 
enjoyed ; but highly desirable and necessary. In this 
country, nothing can exceed the ificonrenience arising- 
from the want of large libraries to those persons, wh© 
a^im at superioj attainments and accurate researches. 

The Boston Athenaeum was incorporated irj 1 807. A 
fund raised by the- sale of shares, which were limited at 
150, atgSOOeach. Subscribers lor hfe,!jlOO. Annual sub- 
scriptions are received at ^12. The building contains 
tliree rooms. First, Reading, or News Room ; second, 
Library of Atheoasum and American Academy ; third, 
Private Library of J. Q. Adams. The library of the Athe- 
naeum contains upwards of 10,000 volumes. This ccllecr 
ticn is rich in many splendid works of natural history. 
There a^e many elegant editions of the aacieat cias^ 



:i76 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

sics, and the department of translations, French [and 
English, is very ample. The coUection in history 
nnA biography is very complete ; and in American- hi.s- 
-lory unrivalled ; under this head may be noticed 8000 
pamphlets, collected with indefatigable perseverance 
during a number of years by Mr. Shaw/' Many of the 
editions are very splendid ; Bo'.ver's edition of Hume's 
History of England, valued at §600, six volumes folio ; 
many volumes of iine engravings : a number of good 
^.asts ; and a number of boxes of cam^eos, ot casts from 
antique gems, seals, &:c. ; a large collection of rare and 
valuable coins, with a good-collection of medals, collect- 
ed by Mr. Shaw. Most of the splendid books, with the 
xasts, cameos, k,c. were donations. These are very 
considerable, and are daily increasing, Twenty-oue 
foreign periodical publications, and about twelve Amer- 
ican, are received. Files of American newspapers of 
old dates in volumes, valuable maps, charts, k,c. are 
also here deposited. 

The Governor, and Lieutenant Governor, Counsel- 
lors, Senators, Members of the House of Representa- 
tives, during the session of the Legisla-ture, Judges of the 
different Courts, President and Professors of Har^'-ard 
College, have free admission to the Pleading Rocvai and 
Library. Strangers are admitted to the use of the 
rooms by being introduced by a Proprietor. No book, 
pamphlet, or any other article permitted to be taken 
from the rooms. The rooms are open every day and 
evening in the week. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 277 

Public LiBRAniES,] The 'Boston Library,' over the 
Arch in Franklin Place contains 6,000 vohimes. The 
proprietors were incorporated in 1794, and hold their 
annual meeting for the choice of officers on the first 
Monday in March. 

The Trustees hare stated meetings once in every 
month, to deliberate and determine on all matters relat- 
ing to the Library. The Library is maintained by the 
sale of shares, the price of which is twenty-five dollars, 
subject to an annual tax of two dollars per year. 

The Library Room is opened every Thursday and 
Saturday in the afternoon, and on the forenoon of Sat- 
urday. 

The 'Library of the American Academy,' contains 
1 100 volumes, principally works of science, transac- 
tions of foreign societies, &,c. 

The 'Library of the Historical Society,' contains about 
2000 volumes, and a vast collection of pamphlets, prin- 
cipally relating to American history. It has also a valua- 
ble collection of manuscripts. Some of these, which 
were found in the library of the Old South church, are 
extremely curious. There are also thirty volumes of 
M3S. belonging to the late Governor Trumbull, con- 
taining his whole correspondence during the revolu- 
tionary war, &,c. 

The 'Medical Library' at the Medical College contains 
between 2000 and 3000 volumes, comprising all the 
mo^t important and costly works in this branch. 
24 



278 DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 

The * Theological Library,' — containing about 200D 
volumes, in the Church at Chauncy Place, 

Tha. 'Social Law Library,' which has about 1000 vol- 
umes, and is deposited for the use of the Bar in the Court 
House. 

Circulating Libraries.] Boston contains a number of 
respectable establishments of this description, of which 
the ' Union Library,' at the head of Water-sJreet; the 
" Shakspeare Library' in School-street, and the 'Franklii> 
Library' in Coitrt-street, arc the most extensive. The 
tvvo former have Reading Rooms connected with them, 
^vhere may be seen the papers of the day, and English 
and American Magazines, &c. There are two Circu- 
lating Libraries in Newbury -street, one of which is 
caiicd the ' Eoylstcn Library,' besides others of minor 
importance. Subscribers pay §7 a year, and take out 
three or four volumes at a time, which they must re- 
turn at a certain time specitied in the Conditions of the 
Librar}"^, which restricts them from lending. Non-sub- 
.^cribers pay for every duodecimo volume 6 cents per 
week, and twelve and a half cents for octavos, and, if 
required, deposit the value of the book. These condi- 
tions are, it is believed, common to all the Circulating 
Libraries. 

Booksellers.] The Booksellers in Boston, formed 
an Association in October, 1801, called The "Bos- 
ton Association of Booksellers," for the purpose of 
promoting a regular system of discounts, cultivat- 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTOK^. 2?9 

iijg a good correspondence with, and establishing 
confidence in each other, while they ia some degree 
promoted the public interest. This association has 
continued more than fifteen years, to the great satisfac- 
tion of its members. The members have adopted a 
number of useful regulations for their government — 
they hare stated quarterly meetings, and special meet- 
ings may be tailed by the secretary on application of 
three of its members. One of their articles we shall 
insert. 

" If any bookseller within this toxvn shall refuse to 
sign these rules and regulations, or, having signed, 
shall neglect to observe them, he shall in no instanc(* 
receive from the members of thi3 Association, the ad- 
vantages allowed to others of the trade, nor will any 
member make any exchange of books with him, or 
make any discount from the retail prices of any books.'" 

The business of Bookselling is conducted here in a 
systematic manner b}^ this Association, the first of the, 
kind ever formed in America. 

PRIKTING. 

The first Printing House in Boston was opened about for- 
ty five years after it was settled, by John Foster.* He prin- 

*He died at Dorchester, Sept. 9, 7681, ag-ed 33 years. 
Among other poems written on occasion ol' his death, v/as one bv- 
• Mr. Josepli Capeu, of Topsfield, containing these lines : 

'- Thy hodij^ ivhich no aciiveness did iack^ 

I{ow's laid aside like an old almanack ; 

But for the present onhfs out of date ^ 

''Twill have at length afar more aciive staff, ^ ' 



'?80 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

(cd a number of small traets for himself and others. The 
earliest book which came fi-om the press under his care, 
was published in 1676, and the latest in 1G80. lie v/as 
educated at Cambridg-e, and calculated and published alma- 
nacks. To that for 1681, lie annexed an ing-eniousdisrerta- 
lion on comets, seen at Boston in November and December 
1630.'^ The General Coui't ordered, at the session in May, 
1674, for the better reg^ulation of the prcj.s, ''That 
the Rev. Thomas Thatcher and Rev. Increase Mather of 
Boston, be added unto the former Licensers," and empower- 
ed them according-ly. After the death of Foster, Samuel 
Sewajl (who was Chief Justice of Massachusetts, in the year 
1718, was authorized to take command of the '^ Printing 
PressCj late under the command of Mr.JohuFoster:" and it was 
added, "none may presume to set up any oiher Prcsse with- 
out like Liberty first g-ranted. Sewall v/as also a Bookseller. 
Books for him'i^elf and others Ave re printed at the press un- 
der his manag-emeat ; as were several acts and laws with 
other works for g-ovcrnment. Samuel Green, jun. was hi? 

Fecf, fho^ with dust thi; body soiled &e, 
Yet at the resurrection u'e shall see 
^^ fair EniTioN, and of matchless V:orth^ 
Free from krrata's, neu) in Heaven selforth^ 
"'TIS but a word from, God^ the great Creator^ 
It shall be done when he saith Imprimatur. 
0:^itmay be s-u?pectcd that Frnnklin had seen this when l^e 
wrote the celebrated epitaph on himself. 

*The first press, in what is now railed the United States, was 
set up at Cambridge in the autunm ot' 1638, under the agencj' of 
Rev. .lesse Glover, wlio died on his pussage from England. The 
first printer in this part of Amej-ica was Stephen Daye, whom 
Glov»--r engaged to coihe to New England to conduct the j>rtss. 
The first work which issued from the pref« was I'ht Fiet men's 
Ortth. 



bESCBIPTION or BOSTON. 281 

printer. Ten pounds sevente en sMlliiigs were paLd Sevfall 
for printing the Election Sermon delivered by the Rev. Mr. 
Torrey. James Glen also printed for ScTFall; one of the 
works was entitled " Covenant Keeping-, the Way to Bless- 
edness. By Sam'l. Willard, Boston : Printed by James Glert 
for J. Se wall, 1682. 

We have thus briefly itsticcd the commencement of print- 
ing-, and refer the reader for further information to the work 
already quoted. From the time of Foster to the year 1770 
we enumerate thirty individuals, and firms who carried oa 
the printing' business to a couisiderable extent. Since the 
peace, of 1783 it is astonishingly increased, and of course the 
importation of books greatly diminished, cspeeially as they 
can be afforded at a reduced price. Editions of costly and 
valuable books are now printed here in a style equal to any 
in Europe. 

The first JsTcws-paper published in North America, was the 
Boston News Letter, » April 24, 1704. The imprint is 
— " Boston : 'Printed by B. Green.* Sold by Nicholas Boone 
at his shop near the old meetiug-house." The publisher was 
Johti Campbell, a Bookseller and a Postmaster, 

* " Bartholomew Green began the printing of the News Let- 
ter, in Newbury Street, in a small wooden building, to which 
another was annexed some years after for the accommodation of 
his son. This building was burnt down in Jan. 1734. It was 
previously occupied as a printing house by young Green and 
John Draper. Draper built another house of like dimensions on 
the same spot, which was occupied as a printing liouse, until the 
British troops evacuated. Boston in 1776, v,dien the publication 
ceased. At that place began and ended the printing of the Bos- 
ton News Letter. A part of the building is now standing back oi 
No, 56, Newbury Street. A complete file of tins paper is in the 
Library of the lli.iorical Society, and in that of the American' 
Academy. 

*24 



282 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

List of A'ewspapers. Disconfinue^ 

Boston News Letter, April 24, 1704, 177G 

I'he Boston Gazette, Dec. 21, 1719, 17 41 

[Then connected with the N. E. Weekly Journal. 
The N. E. Couraat, Aug. 7, 1721, 1727 

The N. E. Weekly Journal, March 20, 1727, ' 1741 

[Incorporated with the Boston Garelte. 
The Weekly Rehearsal, Sept. 27, 1731, 173g 

The Boston Weekly Post- Boy, Oct. 1731, 1756 

The Boston Evening-Post, Ang, 25, 1735, 1750 

The Gazette, or Weekly Advertiser, Jan. 3, 1753, 1755 
The Boston Gazette, or Co'-ntry Journal, April 7, 1755, 1798 
i he Boston Weekly Advertiser, Aug. 22. 1757 1775 

The Boston Chronicle, Dec. 21, 1767, 1770 

The Massachusetts Spj-^, Aug. 7, 1770 177 f 

The Massachusetts Spy, different size, March 7, 1771, 1775 

[Ileniovcd to ^^'orcester. 
The foUouins: -is a list of the Xen-xpnpcrs and other Periodic 
tal Works^ now published in Boston. 

Columbian Centinel, ' Bcnj. BusseH, Wedn. & Sat? 

Ind.Chron.i: Rest. Patriot, Ballard &Wright, Daily. 

is^ew England Palladiuru, Young & Minns, Tnes.&Friday. 

Boston Gazette, Russell, Cutler, & Co. Mon. & Thurs, 

Daily Advf riuer, Nathan Hale, Daily. 

Yankee, Thomas Rowe, Friday. 

Fu'^^f^ Gasf^tte, W^iu. W. Clapp & Co. Saturday. 

W eckly Magazine, ' Panuenter & Norton, do. ' 

Boston R.ecordcr, Nathaniel Willis, Tuesday. 

Weekly Messenger, xVathan Hale, do. 

Ne w England Galaxy, Joseph T. Buckingham, weekly. 

Athen^um, Munroe & Francis, semi-monthly. 

.•North Ara-ncan Review, Cnmmings & Hilijard, two months 

Christian Disciple, J. T. Buckingham, monthly. 

Christian Observer, J^avid Hale, republished, 

t^RAK-KLm's DONATION. 

•• I give one thousand pounds sterling to the inhabit 
tants of the town of Boston in Massachusetts, in trust to 
and for the uses, intents, and purposes, herein after 
mentioned and declared, The said sum of one thou- 



DESCRiniON OF BGSTCN. 283 

sand pounds sterling, if accepted b\' the inhabitants of 
the town of Boston, shall be managed under the direc- 
tion of the selectmen, united with the ministers of the 
oldest Episcopal, Congregational and Presbvteriaia 
churches in that town, who are to let out the same upoa 
interest at five per cent per annum, to such joimg mar- 
ried artificers under the age of twenty-five jcars, as 
have served an apprenticeship in said town, and fjiita- 
fully fulfilled the duties required in their indentures ; 
so as to obtain a good moral character from at least two 
respectable citizens, who are willing to become their 
sureties in a bond with tke applicants for the repayment 
©f the monies so lent, with interest, according to tlie 
terms herein after presci-ibed, and which are to be taken 
for Spanish milled dollars, or the value thereof in gold 
^oin. And the managers shall keep a bound book or 
fcooks, wherein shall be entered the names of those who 
shall apptiy for, and receive the benefit of this institu- 
tion, and of their sureties, together wjth the sums lent, 
the dates, and other necessary and proper records 
p respecting the business and concerns of this institution. 
And as these are intended to assist young married artifi- 
cers in setting up their busineflS, they are to be propor- 
tioned by the discretion of the managers, so as not to 
exceed sixty pounds sterling to one person, nor to be 
less than fifteen pounds. And if the number of appliers 
so entitled should be so large, as that the sum will not 
smiJice to afford to each so much as might othen^tse not 



2'34 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

le improper, the proportion to each shall be diminisii- 
eii, so as to a^flford i^^ evevy ens some assistance. Those 
aids maj therefore be small at first, but as the capital 
increases by an accuniulatirig- interest, they rfill be more 
ample. And in order to serve as many as possible in 
their turn, as well as to make the rtipaynient of the 
principal borrowed more easy, ^ach borrower shall be 
obliged to pay with the yearly interest one tenth part 
€=f the principal, which sums of principal and interest so 
paid in, shall be again let out to fresh borrowers. And 
as it is presumed there will always be found in Boston, 
virtuous and benevolent citizens willing to bestow a 
part of their time in doing good to the rising genera- 
tion, "by superintending and managing this institution 
gratis, it is hoped tliat no part of the money will at any 
tiine lie dead, or be diverted to other purposes, but be 
oontlnually augmented by tiie interest, in which case 
there may in time be more than the occasion in Bostoa 
may require, and then some may be spared to the neigh- 
bouring or other towns in the said state of Massachu- 
setts, which may desire to have it; such town engaging 
to pay punctually the interest, and the proportions of 
the principal annually to the town of Boston. If this- 
plan is executed, and succeeds as projected without in- 
terruption for one hundred years, the sum will then be 
one hundred and thirty-one thousand pounds, of which 
I would have the managers of the donation to the town, 
then lay out at their discretion, o^q hundred thousanc! 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 285 

pounrls in public works, which may be judged of most 
general utility to the inhabitants, such as fortitications, 
bridges, aqueducts, public buildings, baths, pavements, 
or whatever may make living in the town more conve- 
nient to its people, or more agreeable to strangers re- 
sorting thither for health or a temporary residence. 
1'he remaining thirty- one thousand pounds I would 
have continued to be let out on interest in the manner 
above directed for another hundred years, as I hope 
that it will have been found that the institution has had 

: a good effect on the conduct of j'outh, and been of ser- 
vice to many worthy characters and useful citizens. At 
the end of the second term, if no unfortunate accident 
has pi'evented the operation, the sum will be four mil- 
lion and sixty-one thousand pounds sterling, of which I 

' leave one million and sixty-one thousand pounds to the 
discretion and management of the inhabitants of the 

' town of Boston, and three millions to the disposition ol 
the government of the state, not presuming to carry my 
views further." 

" In consideration of the Doctor's having received 
his instruction in literature in the free grammar school 
in Boston, he has bequeathed one hundred pounds ster- 
ling to be let out on interest, to be appropriated for the 
use of such schools in the town, at Ihe discretion of 
those who may be managers of this donation, the inter- 
est to be distributed in silver medals, as honorary re- 
wards annually to such youth as are the greatest pro- 



286 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON! 

ficients and excel in the particular branches of science 
they are instructed in. 

*'Such benefactions as the above, so extensive and 
beneficial in their nature, are the solid basis of esteem : 
they embalm the memory of the benefactor. This will 
perpetuate the nanse of Franklin in the Massachusetts^ 
and render his memory peculiarly dear to his Bpstonian' 
Brethren. 

" The Doctor not only lived a life of great utility to 
his country, but will be, as he wished, "serviceable 
after his death." 

The Columbian Musr:u!,i] was established by Mr. 
Daniel Bowen in the year 1795, near the head of the 
Mall. The collection first eshibited was small ; but, by 
the exertions of the proprietor, great additions were 
made to it in a few years, of natural and artificial curi- 
osities. This ^' work of merit and of years" was totally 
destroyed by fire January 15, 1803. The liberality of 
the public and the aid of private friends enabled Mr. E. 
to recommence his establishment the Blay following in a 
brick building in Milk-street, now taken down. 

In 1806 Mr. B. in conjunction with Mr. Doyle, erected 
a handsome brick edifice in Tremont-street, and by in- 
dustry and application soon supplied the loss. They 
v/eVe hov,'ever doomed to disappointment, and the build- 
ing, with most of its valuable contents, was destroyed by 
lire in January, 1807. The proprietors however per- 
severed, and in a fciv month.'? opened the present house, ■ 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 287 

m Tremont'Street. This building is 100 feet in length, 
and 30 in breadth. Mr. Doyle the proprietor, is dis- 
tinguished as an artist, and his collection in various de- 
partments well worth the inspection of thja curious. 

THEATRE. 

[The foIloAving sketch rcay be gratifying to the lovers of the 
Drama. The commraiication was received too late to be in- 
serted in its proper place. Vide pa^e 228.] 

1794. — The first regular Theatre was established i;i Federal- 
sirect, under the management of Charles Stuart Powell, (brother 
to the present manager.) In consequence of a misunderstanding- 
between him and the proprietori=, Colonel Tyler w^as appointed 
to the management, bui not succeeding, he relinquished, and 
vras succeeded by John Brown Wilharason. In the meaniime 
the friends of IMr. C. S. Powell, raised by subscription a sum 
sufficient to build of wood the Hay market Theati-e, one of the 
most spacious and convenient Theatres ever erected in America. 

Dec. 26lh, 1796. — The Theatre in the Haymarket, opposite 
to the Mall, called Hatsiakket Theatre, was opened with 
an ' Occasional Address,' written and delivered by Mr. C. S. 
Powell, which was followed by the elegant Comedy of the 
' Belle's Stratagem,' in which Mr. Dickson, the late Manager, 
appeared upon the stage for the first time. The Afterpiece 
was a Grand Pantomime called 'Mirzor and Lindor,' performed 
by a French Corps du Ballet. It was at this time that Mrs. 
Darley made her debut as Narcissa in ' Inkle and Yarico.'' 

1797. — Mr. J. Williamson having failed as Manager of the 
Fedep-al Stbeet Theatre, it was taken by Mesa's. Barrett 
and Harper. During the season this^ Theatre was deslroye^l 
by five. 



288 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

Oct. 29th, 1798. — The Theatre, haring feeen rebuiit, vras 
opened under the management of Mr. Hodgkinson. The pieces 
performed were a Prelude, caUed ' The First Night's Apology, 
or All in a Bustle,' ' Wives as they Were,' and the ' Purse.' 

April 29th, 1799. — Mr. Hodgkinson, having failed m the Fed- 
eral-street concern, removed the Company to the Haymarket 
Theatre, which he opened with the ' Stranger,' and ' Plymouth 
Rock.' 

June 5th, 1799.— President Adams honoured the Theatre with 
bis presence, the pieces Avere ' Columbus,' and the ' Poor Sol- 
dier. This was the last season Mr. Hodgkinson performed in 
Boston. 

Oct. 1799. — Theatre opened under the management of Mr. G. 
L. Barrett, with the Comedy of " Laugh when you Can." Mr. 
B. failed before the season expired. 

Oct. 27th, '1800.— Theatre opened under the management of 
Mr. Whitlock, who, after experiencing a loss of about $4000, 
relinquished the concern. This season introduced to a Boston 
audience the celebrated Mrs. Jones. 

Nov. 30th, 1801: — The Theatre was opened under the joint 
jTianagement of Messrs. Powell and Harper. "The School for 
Scandal,' and Poor Soldier,' were the entertainments. 

Oct. 27th, 1802. — The Theatre opened under the manage- 
ment of Mr. S. Powell, the present Manager, with the ' Poor 
Gentleman,' and ' Purse.' 

The Theatre continued" under the sole management of Mr. 
f owell, until Oct. 1806, when it was opened under the joint 
management of Messrs. Powell, Bernard, and Dickson, who con- 
tinued it until 1811, when Mr. Bernard relinquished his part, 
and Messrs. Powell and Dickson have had the management of it 
for eleven years. Last season Mr. D. retired from the stage. 
The ensuing season [1817]will commence uuderthe joint man- 
agement of Messrs. Powell and Duff. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. ?S9 

** In tracing the manners and taste of the people, it is 
irjaterial to notice a temporary law passed in 1750 pro- 
hibiting theatrical entertainments. The exhibition 
which gave rise to this regnlation i% said to have been 
played at the Coffee-Housc, in Boston, by two young 
Englishmen, assisted by some volunteer comrades frcai 
the town. Otway'3 ' Orphan' was selected for the sub- 
ject. Some disturbances arising- at the door from the 
eagerness of the inhabitants to become spectators, ren- 
dered the affair more notorious ; and the Legislature, 
adhering to the first principles of their forefathers, took 
occasion from it to attempt the contmuing and perpetu- 
ating to posterity, the system of economy and purity 
which had singularized the settlement of the country. 
Successive Legislatures revived the law for near Iialf a 
century, until the overbearing zeal which displayed 
two theatres in the capital, influenced the government 
to desist from the further controul of such a prevailing 
change in the manners of the people." 

Great credit is due to the late John Gardiner, Esq. for 
his exertions while a member of the Legislature, in 
effecting the repeal of the act above alluded to. His 
work upon the Theatre is a learned and elaborate per- 
formance. 

The first building erected purposelv for theatrieal 
entertainments in Boston, was opened the 3d «;f F^^ - 
ruary, 1794, with the tragedy of ' Gustavus Vasa Erick- 
25 



^90 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

sen. the Deliverer of Sweden. The selection of the 
play was judicious, as it suited the temper of the times- 

UESIDENCES OF f.ATE GOVERNORS. 

' The Province House,' so called, was erected in 1679, 
for the riesidcnce of the g-overnors who occupied it till the 
revolution of 1776. It is of three stories, of brick, handsome- 
ly constructed, and is still standing- in Marlboroug-h-street. 
It has quite a modern appearance ; but is entitled to notice 
only on account of the character of its former occupants. 
The leg-islature has given it on certain conditions toward 
assisting in the erection of an hospital for the insane. It 
vv^as lately leased for a huudred years, and the lesces have 
erected a lai'ge brick pile m front of it, to be used for shop?,. 
\ybi("u entirely prevents it from being seen from the street. 
The premises were extensive, and the situation airy, over- 
Looking- the neighborhood, judiciousl3'chosen for the residence 
of the first maristrate of the state. We cannot forbear to 
i-co're„ that the building was not enlarged and improved and 
used for the purpose for which it rva* designed. At present 
our governors wbo are not citizens of the town, arc cbliged, 
to provide lodgings for tbenjselves, and must receit^e visitors 
of distinction in the style of private gentlemen. 

After the Province House v/as erected, the govcrnours of 
the colony chiefly resided there till the revolution. Mr. 
ilutchinson however erected a larj-e and elegant housa 
lu Garden Court Street, where he dwelt till he left the coim- 
tiT. It is now owned and occupied by William Little, Esq. 
♦jp'yc J JvV.or Winthrop's house, which was framed at Charles- 
io.vn, stood on the spot now covered by the South Row. It 
wa3 cf wood, two stories, and was demolished by Uic British 
(iririnGf the siege. 







«3 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 291 

Gov. Eadicott's house, stood oa the lot now owued by 
Gardner Greene, Esq. 

Sir Henry Vane's house, is now standing-. The back part 
is unaltered, with the diamond g-lass set in lead. The up- 
per story is somewhat altered and has a modern appearance. 
This is the oldest house in town of which, we have any cer- 
tain account. It stands in Tremont street, the next, north- 
easterly to the seat of Lieut. Gov. Phillips. 

Gov. Belling-ham's house, stood on the spot laow covered 
by the elegant mansion of Lieut. Gov. Phillips, which was 
built by Mr. Fanueil, uncle to tha gentleman who gave the 
Town Hall. 

Sir William Phipps' house, stands at the corner of Salem 
and Charter streets. An upright third story has changed 
its original appearance. 

Gov. Belcher's was oa the model of Julien's, and was taken 
down a few years since. The State Bank is on the same 
spot. 

Gov. Leverett's house, was next, north-westerly to the 
above. 

Lieut. Gov. Dummer's house stood near Hollis-street, at 
the beginning of Orange-street, next to Mr. Henshaw's., 
northerly before you come to Bennet-street. 

ANCIENT ARCH. 

There has been noted an Arch of more than com- 
mon dimensions in Lynn Street, on the north side com- 
municating- with a cellar, which ivas under a house de- 
molished in the year 1775 — 1776, while the British 
troops were in possession of the town. On the side 
Dext to Charles- Paver it was on a level with the wharf. 



i!9- DESCRIPTiON OF BOSTOX. 

which had formerly ran into the river. The arch had 
the same width with the house, and was continued un- 
der the street to the cellar wall of the building- on the 
southern side of the street. 

It has hoon conjectured that it was desig^ied for a 
retreat for certain pirates who are said to have infested 
this coast. 

When constructed, the uhole street must have been 
laid open, so that it is not probable its first desig-n could 
have i'ecn for that purpose, the arch being complete — 
tiiij whole in good order. 

In examining" the ruins of that part of the town, I ac- 
cidently went into it, and being struck with its unusual 
situation and size, i made inquiry of an aged friend re- 
specting it. He iufurmed me, that he had long known 
of the arch ; tiiat the es,tate had formerly belonged to 
a merchant named Cheever, who was a ruling elder at 
one of the churches at the north end, who had been 
suspected of having concern iu the smuggling frade, and 
that this arch communicating so directly with his wharf, 
was supposed to have been very convenient for that 
purpose When constructed he could not tell. 

Population, Tradc^ 8{c. 
Population.] We shall state this at different period* 
of time wifh as much correctness as our materials will 
allow, which are very deficient, in order to shew its 
progressive advancement. As to the populalico of Bos- 
ton, compared with other cities ia the United States^ U 



©ESCRlPTiON OP BOSTON. 293 

should be considered that its limits are not extensive, 
oostaining originally not more than ifcven hundred acres, 
lii a commercial view Cliarlestown is a part ©f Boston, 
and so are Cambridgeport and Roxbury. Within a cir- 
cle of fifteen miles diameter, the centie being Boston, is 
probably a greater number of souls, than can be found 
in the same space in the United States. 

Keal says " that the number of planters that vrent 
over to New England before the year 1640, was about 
4000, after which for the next twenty years, they had 
no increase but what sprang up from among them- 
selves." Of this number, the greater part probably 
settled in Boston and its vicinity. The inhabitants did 
not extend their settlement much into the country until 
the year 1635. The causes of emigration had ceased 
to operate during the Commonwealth ; many in fact dur- 
ing that period returned to the mother country. 

Josselyn, who visited Boston in 1638, says it was a vil- 
lage rather than a town, and contained only twenty or 
thirly houses. In this he must be grobsly mcorrect. 
For besides those who arrived with Winthrop, about 
J 500, and who of course constructed habitations as soon 
as possible, accessions were continually made to the 
number. In 1635, Sir lienry Vane arrived with a 
fleet of twenty sail with stores and passengers, and d-r- 
ing that year near 3000 people came from England to 
Massachusetts. According to Winthrop, 20 ships ar- 
rived in 1638, with at least 300 persons. In 
*2S 



?94 BESCRirriON OF BO.STOA. 

1673 Boston contained 1500 families.* 

1735 The number of inhabitants were estimttedf 

at 16,000. 
174^ It contained 1719 dwelling- liouses, and abont 

18,000 inhabitants. 
1752 The number was 17,574.t 
i76i It contained 1676 houses, 2069 families, ane[ 

1 5.520 souls. 
1791 The census of that year gives the number of 
dwelling houses to be 2,376; the number of 
inhabitants 18,038. 
1794 The number of dwelling houses were 250^ 

and of inhabitants about 19,000. 
1810 Number of inhabitants according to the census 

taken in August, 33,250. 
1817 No census having been taken, we cannot state 
the number with certainty. Those who are best ac- 
quainted with the town estimate them at 40,000 

Trade, Navigation, &:c.] In giving a history of this 
town, which owes its prosperity, wealth, and political 
importance almost entirely to commerce, it might be 
expected that thia article should be minute and extend- 

* In the Btateraent given to Randolph, before quoted, it is said 
•f N. England — There be 5 iron works, which cast no guns. 
Fifteen merchants worth about 50,0001. or about 500 one witk 
another. Five hundred persons vrorth 3000 each. No house in 
N. E. has above 20 rooms. Not 20 in Boston have ten rooms 
«ach. The worst cottages are lofted. No beggars. Not thre« 
persons put to death for theft annually. 

t Those acquainted with the history of this period can egpiljc 
nccount for this diminution. 



DESCKIPTION OF BOSTOiY. 2!?3 

cJ. Our limits, however, conrine us to the follouing 
summary. 

The fiKt vessel built in Massachusetts v/as named th.e 
Blessing of the Bay, and was launched at Mystick [Med- 
ford] on the Fourth of July, 1031. She was 30 tons 
burthen, and owned by Governor Winlhrop. 

The increase of trade was so great that from 
Christmas 1747, to Christmas 1748, five hundred vessels 
cleared out from this port for foreign ports, and four 
hundred and thirty were entered inwards, besides coast- 
ing and fishing vessels, both of which were verj' numer-* 
#us. 

Till a few years before the revolution the businege 
»f ship building was carried on here to a great extent. 
Vessels were sometimes built on commission; but most 
commonly constructed by the merchants of the town on 
their own account, who loaded them with the produce 
of the country, naval stores, fish, fish oil, and lumber, 
tc. and sent them on trading voyages to Spain, Portu- 
gal, and the Mediterranean; where having disposed of 
their cargoes, they made what they could by freight, 
till they could sell the vessel to advantage. The value 
of the proceeds they generally received in bills of ex- 
change on London. 

In 1633 Labourers being scarce, the workmen de- 
manded exaissive wagfes, and pleaded in excuse, that 
the prices of ware with the merchants was proportion- 
able. For preventing oppression in both, orders were 



■^96 DESCRIPTiOrN OF BOSTON. 

made in ihc General Court that artiiicersj such as car- 
penters and masons should not receive above 2 shil- 
llags per day, and labourers eig"hteen pence, and mer- 
chants should not advance above four pence in the shil- 
ling above what their goods cost in England. But these 
orders were not of long Continuance. 

1640. x\s the inhabitants multiplied, the demand for 
cattle had increased ; the price of a ciilch cow had been 
from 25 to £30, but fell this year to 3 or £<o, A farmer 
who could spare but one cow a year out of his stock, 
«sed to clothe his family with the price of it at the ex- 
pense of n^vv comers. The importation of settlers now 
ceased. This country vTas no longer necessary as aa 
asylum for the oppressed people of England. [1641.] 
This sudden stop had a surprising eifect upon the price 
of cattle. 

1642. The following memorable order was passed 
in favour of Massachusetts Colony by the Commons, 
that " for the better advancement of the planters to 
proceed in their undertaking, all merchandizing goods, 
that by any person or persons whatsoever, shall be ex- 
ported out of this kingdom into New England to be 
spent ; or beinf the growth of that kingdom shall be 
from thence imported hither, shall be free from paying 
any custom or duty for the same. 

1639. We hear but little of trade for the first seven 
years except a small traffic with the natives, by barter- 
ing toys and utensfils, for fura and skins. The middling 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 297 

and lower classes had but suflicient to provide subsist- 
ence ani conHruct comfortable dwelling-s, and the 
wealthy were chiefly country g-entlemen, unacquainted 
with commerce. In a few yeai-s however, the land pro- 
duced more than was necessary for home consumption, 
and the overphis was sent to she West Indies and the Wine 
Islands. Those who could be spared from husbanxlrywere 
employed in the fsherie?,* sawing* board, splitting- 
staves, shing-Ies and hoops ; and, as many as were capa- 
ble, in building vessels. 

From 1655 to 1060 trade was in a very flourishing 
state, free admission being- allowed to all nations, and 
the importation of no commodities v/hatsoever being- 
prohibited or under any clog or restraint. 

1666 to 1670. Trade was greatly extended, no cus- 
tom house was established, and the acts of the 12th 
and 15th Charles II. for regulating the trade of the plan- 
tation?, were little observed. 

In 1665. The number of vessels was about eighty 
from twenty to forty tons; about. forty from forty to one 
hundred tons ; and about a dozen ships above one hun- 
dred tons, — according to the Report delivered to the 
Commissioners of Charles the Second. 

Hutchinson, who was well qualified to judge upon the 
subject, says of the tr^de of this colony, (Massachu- 
setts, which in a co'jmercial view respected Bostoft 

*Rev. Hugh Peters first turned th? atlenlicn oC the people Ih 
Marblehca-.I to this lucrative bii^ines?. 



S98 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 



only,) from 1692 to 1719 : "The other governments 
of New Engfland, sixty or seventy years ago, imported 
no Eng-Iish goods, or next to none, directly from Eng- 
land ; they were supplied b}'' the Massachusetts trader. 



Entries. 
1749.-From W.Indies, 00 
Great Britain, 7 
Other port;, 382 



177' 



1784. 



.FroniW.Indies,192 
Great Britain, 71 
Other ports, 324 



-489 



For six months. 

FromW.Indies, 90 
Eng.&Scotland, 21 
161 



i87 



Other ports, 

f- \ 18- 



-372 



1793...FromW.Ind. 
12 months 
Great Britain 



, 28 
Other ports, 161 



-376 



Clearances. 
1749. ..For W.Indies, 115 
Great Britain, 18 
Other ports, 371 



-504 



1773... For W. Indies, 134 
Great Britain, 26 
Other ports, 251 

1784 For tix months. 

ForWMndies, 111 
r,ng.(l;Scotland, 13 
Other port-, 326 



-450 



1793...For W.Indies, 119 
Great Britain, 11 
Other ports, 162 



-392 



J^ett JLmQwnt of Revenue arising frotn Duties on Imports and 
Tonnage.^ collected in Boston during the years following. 

- - - 1,079,209 75 

2,205,324 83 



1809 
1810 
1811 
1818 
1813 

1814 
1815 
1816 



1,160,093 92 

1,548,582 80 

860,567 10 

474,555 30 

825,729 52 

4,351.^35 62 



Amount of Exporls for the same yzars^ viz. 

1S09 Domestic productions $4,009,031 II Total Exports. 
Foreign iLo. 3,979,854 04 

7.988,881 15 

1810 Doraestic Productions 3,589,680 36 
Fjreiiru du. 4,525,420 73 

8.115.101 r»» 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 299 

1811 Domestic Productions 3,047,641 77 

Foreig-n do. 2,804,379 17 

_ 5,852,020 94 

1812 Domestic Productions 1,765,745 91 

Foreign do. 1,218,782 32 

^2,984,528 23 

1813 Domestic Productions 1,458,374 02 

Foreign do. 201,902 66 

-' » 1,660,276 68 

1814 Domestic Productions 106,976 27 

Foreign do, 11,^08 02 

118,284 89 

1815 Domestic Productions 5,276,466 52 

Foreign do. 1,967,931 15 

5,244,397 67 

iGlo Domestic Productions 3,183,830 99 
Foreign do. 4,857,146 16 

8,043,977 15 



CnARITABLC SOCIETIES IN BOSTON^. 

The Massachusetts Charitable Congregational Society. Incor- 
porated March 24fb, 1786. 

Massachuseifs Chariiable Fire Society. Incor. June 23, 1794. 

Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic vQ.csociatio?i.i in Boston. 
Inslitnted March 15, 1795. Incorpovated March 8, 1806. 

Faustus dissociation. Instituted Auc:;ust 2, 1805. 

Massachusetts Chariiable Society, founded in Boston, Sep- 
tember 6, 1762. Incorporated March 15, 1780. 

Boston Episcopal Charitable Society. Instituted in 1724. In- 
corporated February 12, 1784. 

Boston Society for the Religious and Moral Traprovement of 
Seamen. lus'tituted Ma^' 11, 1812. 

ScoPs Charitable Society. Instituted in 1684. Incorporated 
March 16, 17SS. 

Charitable Irish Sociffy. Instituted March 1737. Incorpora- 
ted February 23, 1809. 

Boston Female Asylum. Instituted September 25, 1800. In- 
corporated February 26, 1803. 

Boston Jlsylum for Boys. 

The Corban Society^ insiituted by Females of Boston to and Carir 
didates for the Gospel Ministry., Sept 1811. 

Fragment Society. Incorporated November, 1&16. Instituted 
by Females of Boston, for the relief of Women and Children in 
deistltute circumstances. 



30d DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

John lioylsf-on's Chariiahle Dgnatiovs for tJic hencjlt and tna- 
port of aged poor Persons^ and of OrpJinns and deserted Chil- 
dren. Trustees incorporated Feb. 3, 1P,03, 
Massachiixetfs Si)eitti/ for the suppression of Inicmperante, 

Instituted Feb. 1S13. 



MASONIC SOCIETIES IX BOSTQK^. 

Boston Encampment of Knights Templars. Charter dated 
'1805. Meet every Wednesday evening succecdinj^ the fulling 
of the -AToon. at Mason's Hall. 

Grand Roi/nl Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. Officers elect- 
y'd in Septerriber. 

.S7. Andreu-^s Rojjal Arch Chapter. Meet at Mason's Hall on 
the Wednesday evening preceding the falling of the Moon. 

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Regular meetings, ei'enings 
•f the 2d Monday in March, June, September and December. 
Officers elected on the Qd ^Monday in December, ttnd Installed 
on the evening of St. John's 13ay. 

.S7. John?s Lodge. Meet the first Tucsuay evening of every 
month, at the Exchange Cofiee House. 

St. AndrexePs Lodge. Meet at the Green Dragon, second 
Thursday in each month. 

Massachusetts Lodge. Meet at Mason's Hall, last Friday 
evening in every month. 

Columbian Lodge. Meet at Mason's Hall, first Thursday even- 
ing in every month. 

Mount Lebanon Lodge. Meet at Mason's Hall, first Tues- 
•lay evening in every month. 

Union Society. I^Ieet every Thursdaj' evening, (except the 
first in the month,) at Mason's Hall. 



Aqueduct.] The proprietors of the Boston Aqueduct 
were incorporated to bring water in subterraneous pipes 
from Jamaica Pond in Roxbury, to the town of Bos* 
ton, by an Act of the Legislature, passed in February, 
1795. Said Pond is about four miles from Boston, and 
there are four main logs from the pond to, and through, 
most of the principal streets. Two of said logs a'T of 
four inch tube, and two are three inches. The lateral 



DESCR]H?TION OF BOSTON. 301 

if ipes or logs are of one and an half inch tube ; the four 
main logs, and all the branches connected with them, 
amount to about fortj miles in length ; they are laid in 
trenches from three to three and an half feet deep, 
If hich it is found is not deep enough to secure the water 
from frost in very severe winters. The main logs are 
generally of yellow heart pitch pine ; the small logs are 
wiite pine. There are generally about eight hundred 
families supplied with water from the Aqueduct. The 
extreme frosts of the last winter, and s#me other cir- 
cumstances which occurred, injured the work very 
considerably ; but it is hoped that when some im- 
provemeats which are contemplated are carried into 
effect, it will be competent to supply the inhabitants 
more generally. 

Harvard University,^ 

Harvard University] is the most ancient and the 
best endowed of any scientific institution in the United 
States. It has flourished without interruption for nearly 
two centuries, during which time it has gradually gath- 
ered strength from the patronage of government, the 
munificence of individuals, and the uniform respectabil- 
ity of it5 character and administration. It has been 
enabled to hold out extensive means of affording in- 
struction, and to exact higher qualifications from its stu- 
dents, than any other American seminary. The num- 
ber of its students, which within a few years has beei 

* N. E. jQurnal. 
26 



342 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

aagmented about one third ; the requisites for admis- 
sion and the course of studies, which have been greatly 
elevated during the same period ; the late repeated 
endowments from public and private liberality ; the in- 
creased number of othces and departments of instruc- 
tion ; the erection within a short time of four extensive 
and commodious additional edifices ; the important ac- 
quisitions of books, apparatus, and specimens relating 
to the physical c-ciences ; are circumstances sufficioni 
to shew the prosperity and flourishing state of this insti- 
tution. 

Harvard University derives its name from the Rev. 
John Har^s'ard, its earliest benefactor, who in 1638 be- 
queathed half his estate, amounting to nearly 800 pounds 
sterling- for the endowment of the College. The names 
of the subsequent benefactors of the institution are at- 
tached to the professorships, buildings, or other fruits 
which have resulted from their munificence. 

The College edifices, eight in number,* are pleas- 
antly situated in Cambridge, about three miles from 
Boston. The}' stand on an inelosed plain of fourteen 
acres, around which, except in front, a thicket of for- 
est trees is planted. They are half a mile from the 
banks of Charles River, and immediately contiguous to 
the extensive Common of Cambridge. Three of these 
buildings are appropriated to public purposes ; the rest 
are occupied for lodgipg rooms by the students. Most 

*,E^clu.sive of the Medical College in Boston. 



DESCRK^TION OF BOSTON. 30S 

•f them bear the names of different benefactors of the 
College. They are as follows : . 

University Hall. This is an elegant and spacious edifice, built 
in 1814, entirely of the Chelmsford granite, the colour of which 
approaches nearly to white. It measures 140 feet by 50, and is 
42 feet in height. Its dimensions exceed those of any of tKe 
other buildings, and its style of architecture is chaste and orna- 
mental. It contains a handsome chapel for the purposes of wor- 
ship, and of literary exhibitions ; six rooms for lectures and reci- 
tations ; t\ve rooms for occasional pubHc purposes ; four dining 
halls, and two large kitchens. 

Harvard Hall. This is of brick, and was built in 17G5. It is 
108 feet by 40, and 38 feet to the roof. It is surmounted by a 
cupola, aild bears the College clock and bell. It contains tiie 
library ; the philosephy chamber, a large apartment ornamented 
with paintings, busts, &c. ; the philosophical apparatus; and 
lecture room. 

Holworthy Hall. Of brick, erected in 1812. Length 13§ 
feet, breadth 34, height 37. This building is occupied bj stu- 
dents of the senior class, every two of whom possess a large 
room fronting south, and two smaller apartments on the north- 
ern side, each sufficiently large t» sei^re the double purpose of ft, 
study and bed-room. 

Hollis Hall. Of brick, built in 1764. Lengtli 105 feet, 
Ireadth 44, height 37. It is a plain building, with a simple ped- 
iment on each side. It contains thirty-two rooms for students^ 
each of which has two small studies. 

Stoughton Hall. Of the same dimensions and materlEtls as the 
last, and appropriated to the same purposes. Being built ip. 
1304, its appearance is somewhat more in the modern style. 

MassachuscHs Hall. Built in 1720, and the oldest of the,- 
present edifices.. It is 100 feet by 41, and h*s only llir^c stories- 



304 DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

to the roof, the fourth being furnished with Lutheran windows. 

U has thirtj-two rooms for the use of the students. 

Holdm Chapel.. Of brick, 50 ieet hj 34, Ix-ight 29 ; origin- 
ally erected for a chapel, but now occupied by the medical pro- 
.tessors, for those lectures which are given at tlie University. It 
contains tJie chemical laboratory and lecture room, the anatom- 
ical museum and lecture room, and the Boylston medical 
iibrary. 

College House. Situated on the opposite side of the street, a 
three story building, containing twelve rooms for students. 

Besides these, the president's house, and those of several of 
the professors, also the Medical College in Boston, are owned bj. 
the University. 

The whole number of graduates at the College since 
its foundation is 4509. The present members, [1816] 
exclusive of the Medical Class in Boston, are as follow : 
— Seniors, 57; Juniors, 68 ; Sophomores, 91; Fresh* 
men, 66 ; Resident Graduates, 19. Of Ihese a certain 
portion resort here from a considerable distance, and 
among them may be observed the names of many of the 
most distinguished families in the southern states. 

The Library contains between ITgOO and 18000 vol- 
umes, and is continually increasing. ""The selection of 
books, for the most part, has been made with great care 
and judgment ; many of them are works of great rar- 
ity, scarcely te be found, it is said, even in Europe.. 

For Strangers^ Foreigners, 4t. 

We had intended to have prepared an article for the 
particular information and comvenicnce of Strangers, ant 



I3E6CR1PTION OF BOSTON. 3#& 

Foreigners ; but finding, on a careful investigation.^ 
that the General Registry Office offers every reqiii- 
site facility for strasgers, as well as citizens, and that it 
embraces within its extensive plan, all the advantages 
of (he establishments, in the large cities of the old world, 
bearing the names of ' Offices for the Advice of Foreign- 
ers, Agency Offices, Register, Repertory, Intelligence 
and Information Offices,' or by whatever other name 
they may be called ; and having had much opportunity 
to witness the able and faithful manner, in which it is 
managed in all its branches, we shall content our- 
selves with presenting a general description of that 
establishment.* 

The General Registry Office] is an establidimect' 
©f recent date, and the only one of the kind evet 
formed in New England. 11 is on an extensive plan, 
after the manner of those in many of the large cities 
on the continent of Europe, where, for a long course 
of years, they have been acknowledged to be of 
great public utility. It possesses, however, •ne im- 
portant advantage : — -an experienced conveyancer, 
who is also a magistrate, and regularly educated 
to the profession of the law, devotes a portion of 
each day, in an apartment of the Office, to the draw- 
ing of all such legal instruments and other writings, as 
may be required. This enables those, who n^iake their 

* It is, at present, (Oct. 1817) at No. 2, Water Street, near 
CornhilL 

*26 



JOt) DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

contracts and bargains through this Office, to have their 
Hapers completed oa the spot, and with the saving of 
much time and expense. 

Tlirough this establishment any kind of estate, or 
property, such as houses, stores and tenements of any 
sort ; house-lots, farms, tracts of land, pews, tombs, 
mortgages, exchange, merchandize, horses and car- 
riages, and, in fact, property of almost every descriptioix- 
may be bought, sold, \et^ hired, or exchanged. 

This establishment is also highly beneficial and im- 
portant fo the STRAKGEP, as wclI as to the citizen. A 
great number of Boarding Houses, with their prices for 
board, being always registered in the Office books, • 
strangers on arriving in town,- can accommodate them- 
.ielves at once, by applying at this Office, with such re- 

"'sipectable lodgings, as would meet their wishes ; and 
also obtain such advice and information as their situa* 
tions may require. And in case of having occasion to 
l^urchase, or hire a house, farm, or other estate, of 
property, they can here do it, without loss of. time ; 
Bnd also supply themselves with such domestics and 
©ther a?.sistants, as may be desired. Should the stran- 
ger be in want of a ship, through this Office he can 
provide himself, and also with officers and seamen to 
navigate her : and should he be called unexpectedly, of 
otherwise, to journey, with the best of horses, carriages 
and drivers, and at immediate notice, as is done through 
similar offices in some of the large cities of Europe. 

J^ere also the stranger, on arriving in town, can leave 



DSSCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 30.f- 

his name, and place where to be found, (hat in case any 
thing unforeseen should befal his family, or property, 
dtler leaving his home, which might require his imme- 
diate attention, he could with certainty and readiness he 
informed of it. In a word, such is the liberal and ex- 
tensive plan of the General Registry Office, and s» 
very moderate are the commissions and charges for- 
services rendered, as soon as it shall become generally 
known and fully understood, it will be found one of the 
Host useful iastitutions in BoSvon. 



The Olb Court House] stands at the south side of 
Court-street, partly on the ground, where the old stone 
Jail stood, which made an uncouth appearance, and was, 
many years since, taken down. It is a handsome build- 
ing of brick, three stories higli, and has on the roof an 
octagon cupola, in which is a belL On the lower floor 
are the Offices of the United States District Marshall, 
Sheriff of the County, Clerk of the Municipal Court, 
the Provident Institution or Savings Bank, and several 
private offices. In.the second story, the floor of which 
is supported by pillars of the Tuscan order, are held 
the Circuit and District Courts of the U. S. for the Mas- 
s|ichusetts District, and the Office of the District Clerk, 
In the third story are convenient rooms for jurors, &-c. 
This building, before the erection of the New Court 
House, described at page 237, was used by all the 
Courts of Law held in the County= 



9iS DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 

Common and Mall.] From the deposition* of Odlyir 
and others, taken before Governor Bradstreet in 1684, it 
appears, " That soon after the Peninsula was purchased 
o{ BlaCkstone, the Town laid out a place for a Training- 
Field, which from that period to their time had beep, 
used for that purpose, and for the feeiling of cattle.*'' 

The first notice t>f the Common in the Records rufi« 
ihiis ;— •' 15th, 10 mo. 1634. Mr. Winthrop, Mr. God- 
^ingt«n, [and others] and Williana Blackstone, shaH 
have power to dispose of all such lands belonging to the 
town (as are not yet in the lawfull possession of any 
particular person,) to the inhabitants of the towne, 
leaving out such portions in Common for the use of Nctt 
Comers, and the further benefit of the towne, as in their 
best discretions they shall think fitt." 

From these extracts it is evident that this piece of 
land was originally reserved by the first settlers for the 
purpose to which it is now applied, and was never the 
property of an individual, tr of a corporation, other than 
the town. The fear, therefore, that in any case it 
might be lost by reversion to the heirs of donors, is en- 
tirely groundless. We hope, however, the knowledge 
of this fact, wMl never operate any alteration m the 
present boundaries of the Common, further than may be 
necessary to its embellishment. A few more extracts 
relating to this piece of ground may gratify the 
curious. 

* Vide Note page 33; 



DESCRIPTION OF BOSTON. 300 

•?vlay, 1729. The Selectmen having viewed the 
liarsh at the bottom of the Common, and not finding 
any material use that can be made of it, kc. are of opin- 
ion it is best to lye in the condition it now is." 

March 1733. '' Voted that the row of trees already 
planted on the Common be taken care of by the select- 
men, and that another row of trees be planted there at 
a suitable distance. Also— That a row of posts with a 
rail on the top of them, be set up and continued through 
the Common, from the Burying Place to Col. Fitche'* 
fence, leaving openings at the several streets and lanes.*^ 

1739. " Toted that posts and rails be set up from 
ihe Granary in Common Street to Beacon Street." 

In 1746. '' It was proposed to sell Fox Hill in the 
Common, but the Selectmen reported unfuvourably.'- 
This hill is now nearly levelled. It was a mere mouni 
of sand and gravel, and has served to raise the low 
marshy ground at the bottom of the Common. The 
following extract from the New England Weekly Jour- 
nal, shews that this low piece of ground was once over- 
flowed by water of considerable depth. 

January, 1723. " Two young men skaiting at the bot- 
tom of the Common, the ice breaking under them they 
were both drov.'ned." This low ground is nearly filled 
up by the scavengers ; ditches have been cut through 
the bog, into which they have emptied their carts, and 
the flats thrown up from the trenches serve to cover 
this unwholesome matter, and prevent the dangers aris- 
ing from the putrefaction of tilth exposed above the 
"siirface of th.e earth. Another season will probably 



310 DESCRif TION OP BOSTOK. 

complete the design ©f the Police, and this miry place 
l»e converted into solid earth. 

Randolph petitioned for half an acre of land to be 
taken out of the Common for a house lot, but it was not 
granted. 

The CommoD, according to the late accurate surrey 
•f Mr. Hales, contains 43 acres, three quarters and 10 
rods, exclusive of the Mall ; and the length of the Old 
Mall is 563 yards. 

The New Mall, which runs parallel with Beacon- 
street, was made the last year uader the direction of the 
SelectmeiK The expense was defrayed from the resi- 
due of a sum (about 2500 dollars) remaining in their 
hands, raised hy subscription to erect fortifications for 
the defence of the harbour, during the last war. It is 
laido'jt with taste ;— has a dry, well, gravelled walk, 
with beaulifal glaces, and is lined with young elms, and 
evergreens, and has avenues at convenient distances. 
In a short time these walks will be continued round the 
whole Commen. The wealth of the town is adequate 
to the expense, and the accomplishment of it is highly 
dssirable. 

When the visitor is satisfied with the various enter- 
tainments of these promenades, we would advise him to 
ascend the dome of the New State House, which over- 
looks the town, and commands a view of the surround- 
ing country. He will enjoy one of the richest land- 
scapes in the world , 

The country around Boston has been the admiration 
■^feverv traveller of taste. The landscape is nearly in 



DESCRIPTION OP BOSTON. 511 

tke form of an amphitheatre, the outline of which is 
formed by a number of hiils at ten or twelve miles dis- 
tance, which rise and swell in wavy lines, and form a 
back ground of uncommon beauty. Most of these hills 
are partially cultivated, and are rounded by the hand of 
nature with singular felicity. They no where, how- 
ever, are broken into abrupt precipices, nor do they 
tower to sublimity. 

Withdrawing the eye from the distant hiils, it looks 
down on a landscape charmingly diversified, and luxuri- 
ant in the highest degree. The e^e ia entertained at 
once with gardens and fields ; meadows and streams ; 
orchards and woodlands — the bay variegated by islands, 
and alive with business, produced by enterprizing in- 
dustry. 

A romantic mind, perhaps, would think the scenerr 
more perfect, if it had more roughness and sublimity ; 
some would b« gratified to see here and there an ivy 
mantled tower, a gloomy monastery and ruined battle- 
ments ; but the philosophic mind derives more pleas- 
ure in beholding such a scene as we have pointed to, — 
not described. To such an one a village school house, 
or a flourishing manufactory, are more interesting than 
mowldering columns and deserted castles. And his pleas- 
ure is heightened by considering what the state of the 
country was two centuries ago — nor can he forbear t© 
exclaim with the poet, 

" Not thus the land appear'd in ages past, 
" A gloomy desert and a dreary waste," 

Fims. 



V ^ / 



Page 74, 9th line from bottom, for 1734 read 1634. 

Page 76, 9th line from bottom, for 1535 read 1635. 

Page 241, dele the 8th and 9th line from the top, viz. " The 
present building is spacious and convenient, but not remarkable 
for its architecture." These words relate to the New Brick, 
page 251. The Old North does not exist, and therefore the name 
of Rev. Henry Ware shoxilrl bo placed after the succession of 
pastors of the J^ew Brick^ instead of those of the Old North. The 
Rev. Dr. Lathrop was settled over the Old North, and after the 
destruction of that bouse by the British, in 1775, he took under 
his pastoral care both societies — but the New Brick is the onlj 
•ne existing at this time. 

Page 282, to list of periodical works add — Panoplist, by S. T. 
Armstrong, monthly. The Baptist Missionary Magazine, by Lin- 
coln &L Edmands, monthly. Friend of Peace, J. T. Bucking- 
ham, quarterly. 

By some unaccountable oversight, the name of the Right Rer. 
Bishop Parker was omitted, wh^n inserting the names of the Rec- 
tors, &;c. of Trinity Church ^t page 265, therefore, after the name i 
of William Walter, D. D. inS>ert — Samuel Parker, D. D. induct- 
ed Assistant JVIay 19, 1774. Rector July 25, 1779. Died Dec. 
6, 1804, aged 60. And also conect the dates of Dr. Walter, as 
follows : William Walter D. D. was inducted Assistant July 22, 
1764. Rector April 14, 1768. Left the ChurchMarchl7, 1776. 



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